In a new documentary where the former Spain and current Paris Saint-Germain coach is the protagonist, Luis Enrique is seen taking what has been perceived as a dig at FC Barcelona center back Ronald Araujo.
The documentary in question chronicles Luis Enrique’s first season in the dugout at the Parc des Princes, with a particular focus on a Champions League quarterfinal clash against his former club Barca, who were led by his ex-teammate and player Xavi Hernandez at the time.
There is a section of the three-parter where Luis Enrique discusses Barca stalwart Araujo in preparation for the showdown.
“Araujo is a top player, but he is the one who has the most problems with coming out with the ball. Every time he receives the ball, we block a passing line and we are in,” Enrique says.
As things turned out, it was the Uruguayan’s decision making which proved to be the death of the Blaugrana on the continent in 2023/2024.
Xavi’s men achieved a heroic 2-1 win away in the first leg of the last eight meeting, and then went 1-0 up early in Montjuic in the return fixture through Raphinha.
Shortly after, however, Araujo went lunging into a rash challenge on Bradley Barcola as the last man and was shown a straight red card.
With 10 men, Barca succumbed to their visitors and were thrashed 4-1 on the night resulting in a 6-4 aggregate score overall.
Since-departed Barca midfielder Ilkay Gundogan was particularly vocal and critical about Araujo’s moment of madness, saying post-match that “in these kind of crucial moments you need to be sure to get the ball”.
And if you don’t get it – and I don’t know again if he touched the ball or not – you have to stay away,” the German added, in remarks that reportedly led to tensions in the locker room.
As for Luis Enrique, these freshly-emerged comments join others about Xavi’s team who he said “are not a good team defensively” and “are not dominant”.
“They wouldn’t have beaten us with eleven or twelve [men]”, he also quipped, while further scoffing that the defending La Liga champions of the era “play like Eibar”.
– Forbes
