Despite the significant injury problems that this FC Barcelona team faced at the start of this season, Hansi Flick has been able to get very good results.
The Catalans have missed some of their most important players in the midfield and defense since the season kicked off.
In the defense, one of their most important players, Ronald Araujo, has not been able to play even a single minute this season as he is still recovering from the injury that he suffered last summer while playing for his Uruguayan national team in the Copa America.
The latest reports on his situation show that the defender is making a gradual recovery and is getting nearer to returning to the pitch. In fact, after the recoveries of some other long-term absences like Frenkie de Jong and Gavi, Araujo is expected to be the next in line to step on the pitch.
As Mundo Deportivo has reported, Hansi Flick addressed a press conference ahead of the match against Espanyol, and provided an update on the condition of the Uruguayan defender:
“We’re not pressuring him to return. He’s doing well, recovering well, but there’s no need to rush him. It was a serious injury, and we need to be cautious. He’s training with intensity.”
With the center-back duo of Inigo Martinez and Pau Cubarsi playing at a very high level, Barcelona have not really missed Aruajo too much in the center of the defense.
Thus, as Flick himself commented, there is no need to rush him back to the field, especially considering the extent of the injury that he suffered.
For now, Barcelona fans will be hoping that he will return to his best level in the coming months, and further strengthen the team’s backline going forward. Until then, Cubarsi and Martinez will continue to hold the backline stable.
