Araujo injury blow for Barca before Napoli clash

Barcelona team players (first row LtoR) Spanish forward Adama Traore, US defender Sergino Dest, Spanish midfielder Pedri, Spanish midfielder Gavi, Spanish defender Jordi Alba (second row LtoR) German goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Spanish forward Ferran Torres, Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo, Dutch midfielder Frenkie De Jong, Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets and Spanish defender Gerard Pique pose prior to the Spanish league football match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona at the RCDE Stadium in Cornella de Llobregat on February 13, 2022. (Photo by Pau BARRENA / AFP)

Barcelona’s Uruguayan international defender Ronald Araujo suffered a calf injury during the La Liga side’s 2-2 draw against Espanyol, the Catalan club confirmed on Monday.

Araujo was substituted at half-time on Sunday after taking a knock to his left foot and was replaced by Eric Garcia, who made his comeback after five weeks out with a right thigh injury and was responsible for Barcelona conceding a second goal.

Araujo’s injury is a blow for coach Xavi as Barcelona prepares to face Napoli in the Europa League on Thursday followed by a league tie against Valencia on Sunday.

“For the moment, it is only painful,” said Xavi of Araujo’s injury on Sunday after the match.

“He felt some pain during the week but wanted to play. We decided to substitute him at half-time as a precautionary measure. We’ll see where we are tomorrow (Monday) and we’ll take on Napoli and Valencia with the players available to us.”

The club did not give details on how long Araujo would be sidelined, but according to local press reports, he could be out for at least a week.

Barcelona, fourth in La Liga, takes on Napoli who is third in Serie A and in the running for a first Italian league title in over 32 years.