Barcelona faces a defensive headache as a key defender becomes a major doubt for the high-stakes Espanyol fixture.
Barcelona’s defensive rock resumes group training post-month-long mental health hiatus sparked by November’s UCL red card meltdown against Chelsea, fueling optimism ahead of Catalan derby inferno.
Five sessions logged this week evoke positivity, yet Hansi Flick navigates a delicate timeline amid Andreas Christensen’s ACL void and Iñigo Martínez’s Saudi absence.
La Liga leaders—eight-win streak forging four-point cushion—crave stability for RCDE Stadium showdown against five-game Espanyol surge.
That defender is Ronald Araújo, the captain whose Chelsea sending-off ignited turmoil, prompting Uruguay to retreat, blending spiritual pilgrimages (Bethlehem, Jerusalem) with solo drills, according to Mundo Deportivo
Back at Ciutat Esportiva Monday, Araújo confides in Flick: not match-ready, prioritizing psychological reset sans deadline.
Derby ruled out; Spanish Super Cup Saudi trip (Jan 7 semifinal vs Athletic Club) hinges daily feel—club backs fully, rejecting rush.
Flick echoes support: Araújo “physically nearing 100%, teammates fantastic—he decides pace.” Mundo Deportivo flags mental well-being paramount; doctor Ricard Pruna, Deco, specialist consult.
Araújo’s saga spotlights humanity: post-red anguish yielded break, now measured reintegration. Cubarsí-Martín tandem holds fort, but numbers thin—January defender quest intensifies.
Espanyol hosts eye upset; Araújo’s absence tests depth. Pedri, Olmo, and Yamal boost attack; Joan García steels for ex-club jeers.
Barcelona’s empathy shines—prioritizing Araújo’s holistic return over hasty recall. Super Cup looms pivotal; full fitness beckons soonish.
The club’s handling exemplifies maturity, blending care with competitiveness. Araújo’s odyssey—resilience forged—promises powerhouse resurgence, fortifying Flick’s title juggernaut long-term.
Araújo’s measured comeback underscores Barcelona’s compassionate stance, prioritizing mental fortitude over derby desperation.
As Espanyol sharpen blades for RCDE upset, Flick’s depleted rearguard—Cubarsí carrying youth’s burden—tests title credentials, but the Uruguayan’s horizon glows with renewed steel for Super Cup glory and beyond.
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