FC Barcelona have been rather careful when it comes to the fitness of their players this season. As most teams find out the hard way, losing players to injury midway through the season can be an incredible loss to bear. Unfortunately, Barcelona has also suffered due to the consequences of that exact same problem.
For this exact reason, Hansi Flick and his coaching staff have been rather mindful of the demands of their players and the kind of respite they would need to keep up with the current football calendar. Even when certain players seem ready to return, Barcelona is now much less willing to rush them back.
However, after the unfortunate result against Las Palmas recently, Barcelona needed some positive news desperately. Fortunately for the Catalan club, that news has now arrived in the form of a certain team captain who is now completing entire training sessions following his recovery.
As highlighted by SPORT, 25-year-old Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo completed the most recent training session from start to finish with his teammates. After having been sidelined since the summer due to an injury he suffered during the Copa America, Araujo’s progress is something to celebrate.
Undoubtedly one of Europe’s most elite defenders, the Uruguayan’s return is a much-anticipated moment. It remains to be seen when he ends up making a full return to action, but the signs shown so far indicate that he is now closer than ever to being available for Hansi Flick.
He previously participated in group sessions as well, but only partly. This time around, the €70 million-rated defender was involved in the entirety of the session and that indicates that the player has recovered most of his physical sensations and is now at a level where he can keep up with the demands of his new coach.
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BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 30: Alberto Moleiro of UD Las Palmas is challenged by Fermin Lopez of FC Barcelona during the LaLiga match between FC Barcelona and UD Las Palmas at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on November 30, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain.
BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 12: Ferran Torres of FC Barcelona looks on prior to the Joan Gamper Trophy match between FC Barcelona and AS Monaco at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on August 12, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain
BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 30: Raphinha of FC Barcelona scores his team's first goal during the LaLiga match between FC Barcelona and UD Las Palmas at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on November 30, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain.
The upcoming games against Mallorca and Real Betis is La Liga seem to have come a little bit too early for Araujo to make his return, but the game against Borussia Dortmund midway through the month in the UEFA Champions League could be the game that sees the defender mark his return. Until then, his recovery will be closely monitored and a lot of care will be given to his needs.