Araujo will be doubtful until the last minute for Rayo game

Expectations are high for Monday's clash against Rayo Vallecano. If Barcelona win, they will be the new La Liga leaders. This Sunday, the squad coached by Hansi Flick finalised preparations for the game in a training session where few doubts could be cleared up.

The main and almost the only doubt was that of Ronald Araujo. The centre-back had to be substituted in the victory against Sevilla after suffering a heavy blow to his ankle which has left him with a limp. So much so that in this last session prior to the match against Rayo he was unable to do the full session and continued to do some rehabilitation work.

This was the second training session in which he took part, but he still couldn't finish any of them and 24 hours before the match it seems very difficult that he will be able to play. The doubt will remain until the last minute, but it doesn't look like Hansi Flick is going to force the issue with alternatives such as Pau Cubarsí, Inigo Martinez and Eric Garcia.

Lamine Yamal, who returned to normal training, appeared on the pitch at the Ciudad Deportiva Joan Gamper with a bandage on his hand. Also new to the squad was youth goalkeeper Eder Aller, who trained alongside Wojciech Szczesny and Inaki Pena.

The absentees from the session were those already known: Andreas Christensen, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Marc Bernal. Mundo Deportivo' reports that the Danish defender is finalising his recovery from his soleus muscle injury. The German is already working with the ball and the academy player could start working on the pitch in a short period of time.

 

February 16, 2025