FC Barcelona have clearly struggled with injuries this season and it may have even impacted results. Some players have had to deal with issues during the season, while others have been injured from even before the official campaign kicked off. This combination of issues for Barcelona has proven to be problematic, but it is only temporary.
After all, players are expected to return from injuries at one point or another. If a player is unavailable right now, it is only a matter of time before they return from the sidelines and offer their services to the team. Fortunately for Barcelona, one key player has now made exactly that kind of a leap going forward.
Ronald Araujo, aged 25, has been training regularly with the rest of his teammates since quite some time now. Previously injured during the Copa America tournament during the summer, the Uruguayan defender’s return to action was expected to come soon.
Now, as highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, that return is finally upon us. The Barcelona defender and captain is included in the official squad list that will travel to Germany and take on Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League.
Araujo’s return is a massive boost for La Blaugrana, and especially for Hansi Flick. Undoubtedly one of the top defenders in Europe, the Uruguayan centre-back’s presence for Barcelona almost always elevates their level and his availability is exactly the kind of mental and quality boost that the team needed.
Following a string of rather unconvincing performances, the return of a leader like Araujo could help reshape the team and reform their performances. While it may be too soon to expect too much from the €70 million-rated defender in terms of minutes against Dortmund, his inclusion in the squad list is still a big step forward.
Ultimately, the decision to play him remains entirely upto Hansi Flick. If things are going too well against Dortmund, perhaps the Barcelona star could even end up getting a few minutes if the coach believes it to be the right stage for the player. However, irrespective of what happens against Dortmund, reports claim that the primary goal is to have the player ready for the next La Liga outing against Leganes.
