Ronald Araújo trained this Thursday with a protective mask after suffering a jaw fracture in the last LaLiga match against Atlético de Madrid in an action with Marcos Llorente that will not prevent him from being available for Sunday's match against Girona at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. The mask that the Uruguayan wears is reminiscent of the one that center back Carles Puyol also wore on his day due to a similar injury. Or like the one Gavi used when he joined the first team, in August 2021 and to protect himself from the tear he suffered in an ear.
In the action with Marcos Llorente, Araújo received an involuntary blow when he tried to snatch the ball from him and cut off the rojiblanco's advance. He remained for a few moments on the grass in pain. However, he did not realize that the ailment was so serious. He completed the 90 minutes and, after the game and already cold, he began to feel pain. Tests confirmed that he suffered a small fracture. There was the possibility of opting for the operating room but in a moment as momentous as the one the team is going through and with the consent of the doctors, Araújo is confident that in a few weeks the fracture will heal.
The wish of the Uruguayan centre-back, who this year was chosen as third captain, is to be able to help the team starting with his participation in next Sunday's match against Girona. It remains to be seen if Xavi recovers Andreas Christensen, who did not exercise this Thursday with permission from the club. Center back Iñigo Martínez, who injured his hamstring during the warm-up before the match against Atlético de Madrid, is still in the Barcelona infirmary.
Nor will goalkeeper Ter Stegen be there, who has opted to undergo surgery to undergo surgery for a herniated disc that has prevented him from playing the last three games. The objective is for Barcelona's starting goalkeeper to be ready in two or three months. To replace the German, Xavi trusts in Iñaki Peña, who has had three great performances against Rayo Vallecano, Porto and Atlético de Madrid. Barcelona will not go to the transfer market in search of another goalkeeper. He trusts the names that La Masia provides him. They are Ander Astralaga, and the juniors Kochen and Aron Yako.
In addition to the rest of the footballers available from the first squad, Xavi has included midfielder Jaume Cuéllar and centre-back Pau Cubarsí in this session with the Barça Atlètic players.
