Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has provided an insight into the reasoning behind Ronald Araújo’s absence from his plans for the club’s next outing.
This comes amid confirmation that the Uruguayan is dealing with a bout of illness.
Drawn on the status of his defensive star during a press conference ahead of facing Deportivo Alavés on Saturday, Flick explained:
“Ronald Araújo has gastroenteritis (stomach problems). He will be unavailable tomorrow.”
Araújo’s name was of course put to Flick with the 26-year-old in the midst of a turbulent week to date.
Reintroduced to Barcelona’s starting XI for a Champions League trip to Chelsea, Araújo endured a nightmare outing, sent off for a pair of bookable offences before the half-time break.
The stopper, in turn, is understood to be struggling badly from a mental standpoint, not spotted in group training over recent days at the Ciutat Esportiva.
Boss Flick could therefore simply be attempting to shield Araújo from the outside noise by reporting that he is dealing with a sudden illness.
Conor Laird – GSFN
