Barcelona star Ronald Araújo remains unavailable to take to the pitch in the colours of the Blaugrana.
As much was confirmed by manager Hansi Flick on Monday.
Defender Araújo for his part sat out over the weekend, as Barcelona secured a return to winning ways at the expense of Deportivo Alavés in La Liga.
The Uruguayan has not been seen even in training since his disastrous evening’s work at Stamford Bridge last Tuesday.
En route to Barcelona slipping to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Chelsea, Araújo was singled out for widespread blame, owing to a needless first-half red card.
The 26-year-old is understood to have been struggling badly from a mental standpoint ever since.
Speaking to the media during his latest pre-match press conference ahead of facing Atlético Madrid, the subject of Araújo’s status was therefore put to Hansi Flick once more.
And the German went on to confirm:
“Ronald Araújo is not ready to play. It’s a private matter and I won’t say anything more. I ask that you respect it, that’s all I can and will say.”
Conor Laird – GSFN
