Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo has made it pretty clear he really does not want to play at right-back but says he will sacrifice himself for the team whenever needed.
Right-back has been a problem position at Barcelona for a while, with Xavi using Araujo and Jules Kounde in the position at times.
Araujo has always done a great job, particularly when he’s come up against Vinicius Junior, but says it’s not a job he wants on a regular basis.
“The truth is, I don’t like playing as a right-back, that’s the reality, but I always say, wherever the coach and the team ask me, I’m going to play and give my best, but obviously I feel very comfortable playing as a center back because it’s my natural position and it is where I can give 100%,” he told beIN Sport.
The arrival of Joao Cancelo has eased Xavi’s options at right-back, although the Portugal international featured on the left in midweek against Porto.
Barcelona now head into a crunch game against Atletico, with Araujo saying the midweek victory had given his team a big boost.
“We trust in the team we have. The truth is that the victory against Porto, with qualification for the round of 16, gives us a boost for what is to come, even for this duel against Atlético, which is also important. We are happy to fulfill that objective, we have a lot of confidence in the team we have and that good things can come,” he added.
“We have to play our football and our style, counteract the counterattacks of key players like Antoine and Morata , also the wingers, but we have to be faithful to our identity, play our football and without forgetting that we play at home, which is a plus.”
Barcelona and Atletico head into the match level on points and both need a win to avoid losing more ground to Real Madrid and Girona who both won on Saturday.