Araújo Returns And Scores As Barça Advance To Copa del Rey Semifinal

‎Barcelona manager, Hansi Flick, said the club will continue to support Ronald Araújo after the defender scored against Albacete in the Copa del Rey.

‎It was Araújo’s first start since returning from a mental health break, and he scored Barça’s second goal in a 2-1 win.

‎The victory sends Barcelona into the semifinals, eliminating the side that had knocked out Real Madrid in the previous round.

‎”For him, it’s step by step, this is the most important thing,” Flick said in the post-game news conference about Araújo’s progress since returning to training last month.

‎”He also scored a very important goal for us tonight. I think it could help him gain more confidence and believe in himself more. This is what we need and what he needs.

‎”We support him and we help him. He’s doing well. Of course, at the end, you saw he’s also exhausted, but it’s like that.”

‎Araújo asked for time off at the end of November to address mental health concerns.

‎While away from football, he visited spiritual sites in Jerusalem and Bethlehem before returning to his native Uruguay. Since rejoining training in January, he has made four substitute appearances for Barça, with Tuesday’s start marking his first start of the year.

‎In acknowledgement of Flick’s support during what has been a difficult period personally, he ran to the bench after scoring against Albacete to embrace his manager.

‎”I am really happy,” Araújo told reporters after the game.

‎”The goal is dedicated to God, but I also made a gesture to my wife and then went to hug [Flick] he has ensured I have come back well.

‎”I am grateful for the support I have received from the coach and my teammates. I am feeling better all the time.”

‎Araújo’s goal seemed to wrap up a comfortable win for Barça after Lamine Yamal’s opener, but a late header from Javi Moreno created a tense finish for the LaLiga leaders.

‎Only a goal-line clearance from Gerard Martín prevented Albacete from forcing extra time. The narrow escape left Flick once again frustrated with his team’s lack of clinical finishing, just as he was after Saturday’s win at Elche.

‎”It was a tough match at the end, really hard,” Flick added.

‎”We could have made it much easier because we had control in the first half and for large parts of the second.

‎”We create a lot of chances. We have to finish much better, with more conviction. At the end it was tight, but we deserved this.

‎”We have played on Wednesday, Saturday, and now Tuesday. I am proud of the fight from the team. You have to win cup games and we did. We are in the semifinal.”

‎Barcelona hosts Mallorca in LaLiga on Saturday.