Barcelona captain’s message of hope after Inter loss – ‘This generation will win a lot of CL titles’ | OneFootball

Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo admitted that the team is “sad” after falling just short of the UEFA Champions League final, following their semi-final elimination at the hands of Inter Milan last night.

But the Barça skipper remained optimistic about the future, stating that the club’s current generation of players are capable of winning many Champions League titles.

Disappointment over defeat

Araujo, who came on in the second half to replace Inigo Martinez, did not hide his disappointment after the elimination, saying:

“We are sad, to be honest. We were having a great Champions League campaign. We had it close and it slipped away from us. Sad.”

The Uruguayan defender acknowledged that individual errors played a part in the 4-3 defeat (after extra time) but insisted that the loss would not affect the team ahead of this weekend’s El Clasico.

“In the end, these matches are decided by details. We made mistakes and it slipped away. I do not think it will affect us. It is a hard blow, but this team has an incredible mentality and we will go for La Liga,” he remarked.

Araujo was found wanting for Inter’s last two goals. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

When asked whether he felt responsible for Inter Milan’s last two goals, Araujo responded with some frustration:

“Do you think I lacked decisiveness? In the first one I am marking him, in front of him… and in the second, in football, there is also such a thing as covering, and those plays get resolved.”

Hope for the future

Araujo also shared what coach Hansi Flick told the squad after the match, and the areas in which the team needs to improve, saying:

“He told us that he is very proud of the team and that next year we will fight for the Champions League again. We conceded too many.

“We stood up and fought. It was a team that the fans enjoyed, but we have to review those moments. As I say, thank you to the people who came to support and believed in the team.”

Araujo also pointed to the officiating by Szymon Marciniak, like some of his other teammates, saying:

“The referee had something to do with the result. Inter’s third goal was a foul on Gerard Martin… but we must not make excuses.”

The Uruguayan international ended with a message of hope: “This generation will win a lot of Champions League titles because these boys have a lot of talent.”

Source: Mundo Deportivo