Barça defender Araújo on crutches with Champions League looming
The centre-back got injured in Barça B's playoff loss on Sunday
The image of Ronald Araujo in the airport at Barcelona-El Prat has set the alarm bells rining at FC Barcelona. The Uruguayan defender was accompanied by the club's physios, with his right ankle in a bandage and crutches supporting him due to the injury which ended his involvement in Sunday's playoff defeat to Sabadell with Barça B.
Pending tests back in Barcelona to determine the full extent of the problem and reveal how long he will be out for, he is a doubt for the Champions League game against Napoli at Camp Nou on Aug. 8.
His absence would be a setback for Quique Setien, who at the moment only has one fit centre-back, Gerard Pique. Clement Lenglet was injured against Alaves and the club will check on his fitness when he returns to training this week.
Samuel Umtiti is also out with a knee problem, so if Araujo isn't fit, Setien may have to turn to another Barça B centre-back, be that Jorge Cuenca or Oscar Mingueza.
Araujo returned from Marbella with the rest of the Barça B squad. There was disappointment after the loss to Sabadell ended their hopes of promotion to the second tier of Spanish football.
He was forced off during that game in the 75th minute after injuring his ankle. The initial diagnostic was a sprain but more tests are required in the coming days.
