Fans online ripped into Ronald Araujo for his performance in the UEFA Champions League semifinal second-leg clash between Barcelona and Inter Milan on Tuesday (May 6). The defender failed to impress in the 44 minutes he spent on the pitch, as Barcelona fell to a 4-3 defeat at San Siro after 120 minutes of play.
Following a thrilling 3-3 draw in the first leg at Estadio Olimpic Lluis Companys on April 30, a win in the second leg was necessary for either side to secure a spot in the 2024-25 UCL final.
Barcelona started the game by dictating proceedings, but a lapse in concentration bit them midway through the first half, and they found themselves behind in the 21st minute. Federico Dimarco dispossessed Dani Olmo in midfield and found an advancing Denzel Dumfries, who subsequently squared it to Lautaro Martinez to tap into an empty net.
Inter doubled their lead before the break, as Hakan Calhanoglu converted from the spot. Barcelona came into the second half more determined and were back on level terms exactly at the hour mark, thanks to goals from Eric Garcia (54′) and Olmo (60′).
The game turned on its head when Raphinha arrowed a rebound into the far corner in the 87th minute. It looked like Barcelona had booked their spot in Munich, only for Francesco Acerbi to equalize in added time and force an extra 30 minutes. Inter looked livelier when play resumed, and they got themselves back in the lead when Davide Frattesi struck in the 99th minute.
Barcelona huffed and puffed for an equalizer in the remaining minutes, but it never came, which meant a seven-goal thriller ended in Inter’s favor to give them an aggregate 7-6 victory and a spot in the final.
While the visitors fought throughout 120 minutes, Araujo had a night to forget. The Uruguayan didn’t mark Acerbi enough to stop him from equalizing the contest in regulation time. He was also outwitted by Marcus Thuram in the build-up to Inter’s fourth goal.
After the match, fans criticize Araujo on X, with one writing:
Another tweeted:
Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo said he was at fault for Inter’s last two goals and added that he could have done better on each of the two occasions.
He told RAC1 after the match (via Barca Blaugranes):
Following their UCL exit, La Blaugrana will now turn their attention to LaLiga.
An ardent Chelsea fan, Ezekiel’s journey as a football fan began in his childhood, witnessing Ronaldinho dazzle with his skills. His interest in the beautiful game deepened after Nigeria were knocked out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup; he was impressed with the Super Eagles’ fighting spirit in their 2-2 Group B draw against South Korea. Some other World Cup matches which have left a deep impact on him were Belgium’s incredible comeback against Japan in the round of 16 of the 2018 version and the 2022 final.
Lionel Messi is the one true GOAT for Ezekiel and he also follows the Major League Soccer and the Saudi Pro League owing to him and Cristiano Ronaldo. When not writing, he spends his free time deepening his SEO knowledge and watching skits.
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