Although the season has only just started, FC Barcelona have already been facing injury issues with some of their important players. Pedri, one of the most trusted midfielders for Xavi, is facing a spell on the sidelines with an injury, while defenders like Inigo Martinez and Andreas Christensen have also not been at 100% fitness since the start of the season.
Another important defender who is currently out with an injury is Ronald Araujo. The Uruguayan suffered a tear in the femoral biceps of his left leg in training after the Getafe match and is currently working to get back to full fitness before rejoining the team.
Araujo nearing full recovery
An update on his recovery from injury has been provided by Diario AS, who claim that the center-back is in the final stretches of his recovery. He can be available for Barcelona even next week when the Catalans will be facing Celta de Vigo at the Montjuic.
Araujo can get back into the team even earlier than that, in the Champions League opening tie against Royal Antwerp, but the club physios suggest a more careful approach with him and want him to recover fully before returning to action.
Christensen to get relegated to bench
Thus, Araujo would miss around five weeks with this injury, in which he would have missed up to four games. Four of these games would be in La Liga, and one in the Champions League. Barcelona have missed the Uruguayan, as they conceded four goals against Villarreal and Osasuna, but Jules Kounde has been excellent and has helped Barcelona remain competitive defensively in Araujo’s absence.
Once Araujo returns, Andreas Christensen is likely to get relegated to the bench. Araujo and Kounde both will play in the center, while the right flank will be taken by Cancelo, and Balde will complete the Barcelona backline.