Hansi Flick’s bizarre selection decision pays off as one player’s new role secures win over Girona

A member of the defensive ranks at La Liga giants Barcelona was tested in a brand new role in the club’s latest outing.

And it proved to be nothing short of a masterstroke on the part of manager Hansi Flick.

The player in question? Ronald Araújo.

Stopper Araújo was for his part forced to make do with a spot on the bench this evening, as Barcelona marked their return to action in a meeting with Catalan rivals Girona .

Hansi Flick, instead, opted for a central-defensive partnership of Pau Cubarsí, and Eric García.

Late in proceedings, with the Blaugrana in desperate search of an all-important winner, however, the Uruguayan was introduced to the fray.

Not only that, but with Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres sidelined through injury, Araújo was bizarrely thrown on at centre-forward.

And what a call it proved to be…

As proceedings rolled into injury-time, and Barcelona looked all set for a third winless outing in succession, the club’s defensive leader popped up with the game’s decisive goal.

The Blaugrana, in turn, have returned to the summit of the La Liga table.

– Saturday, 18 October 2025

Conor Laird – GSFN

La Liga Barcelona Girona Ronald Araujo Hansi Flick Late Winner Injury Update