FC Barcelona has received news on the fitness of its defender Ronald Araujo, as explained by various outlets including Jijantes and MARCA.
With Pau Cubarsi given a rare taste of the bench, the Uruguayan started Sunday’s vital La Liga clash with Sevilla partnering Inigo Martinez in central defense.
After just 22 minutes of play down on the clock, though, as the score was tied at 1-1, Araujo had to leave the pitch while being replaced by 18-year-old La Masia pearl Cubarsi.
There were fears that Araujo had picked up a right ankle knock as a consequence of a hard tackle from ex-Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez.
Becoming sidelined would have been a huge blow, not just for Hansi Flick, but also the player that recently renewed his contract until mid-2031 after being linked with a surprise transfer to Juventus.
At the Copa America last summer, Araujo picked up a thigh injury during a quarterfinal showdown with Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr.’s Brazil, which kept him away from the game for the rest of 2024.
From the sidelines, Araujo was made to watch as Inigo took his place and formed one of Europe’s best back line partnerships under Hansi Flick, which is noted for its expert use of the offside trap.
When Inigo became ruled out himself, however, with a calf niggle picked up in the Spanish Super Cup final thrashing of Madrid, Araujo returned to the fold and has been a starter while the Basque recovered.
As things have turned out, though, Araujo looks set to trudge on through the business end of the 2024/2025 season and challenge Inigo for minutes.
He underwent tests on Monday to assess his concerns, which thankfully revealed that he only received some bruising to his ankle.
Flick has granted his players three days’ rest for beating Sevilla 4-1, and moving within two points of leader Madrid. Yet Araujo might sit out a February 17 meeting with Rayo Vallecano just to be on the safe side.
In that match, Flick might go for Cubarsi and Inigo together once more, or even take a punt on an Eric Garcia that is arguably one of his best in-form players at the moment while scoring twice in his last two outings.
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