After struggling with a depleted squad at the start of the season, things are finally looking up for Hansi Flick as the injury list at FC Barcelona gradually clears.
Two long-term absentees, Frenkie de Jong and Gavi, have already returned to full fitness. Meanwhile, another key player who has yet to feature this season, Ronald Araujo, is also on the brink of making his return to the pitch.
In fact, the Uruguayan has been included in the squad for tonight’s game against Borussia Dortmund and could potentially feature for a few minutes, as he has received the medical green light.
To mark this milestone, as highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, Araujo celebrated by posting a three-word message for Barcelona fans on his social media: “I am back.”
Along with the message, the defender also shared a video highlighting the intense work he has put in over the past few months to recover from his injury.
Araujo was injured on 7th July, as he played for his Uruguayan national team in the 2024 Copa America quarterfinals against Brazil. He had suffered a tear in the hamstring of the right leg, for which he also had to undergo surgery. Thus, he was unable to start the season under the new coach, Hansi Flick, at Barcelona.
In his absence, Flick has counted mainly upon Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez to be his starting center-backs, and these two players have not really allowed the German tactician to miss the Uruguayan star a lot.
Therefore, his return to the starting line-up is not guaranteed even as he recovers and gets nearer to his best level in the coming few days.
Still, there is no doubt that his return will provide Flick’s side with a much-needed boost, as Cubarsi and Martinez have been playing a lot and would need rest going forward.
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SEVILLE, SPAIN - DECEMBER 07: Hansi Flick, Head Coach of FC Barcelona, looks on prior to the LaLiga match between Real Betis Balompie and FC Barcelona at Estadio Benito Villamarin on December 07, 2024 in Seville, Spain.
MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 26: Fermin Lopez of FC Barcelona reacts during the LaLiga match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 26, 2024 in Madrid, Spain.
BELGRADE, SERBIA - NOVEMBER 6: Robert Lewandowski (C) of Barcelona celebrates after scoring a goal with Frenkie de Jong (R) and Jules Kounde (L) during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between FK Crvena Zvezda and FC Barcelona at Stadium Rajko Mitic on November 6, 2024 in Belgrade, Serbia.