Barcelona’s squad has been busy in Jeddah ahead of their Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Athletic Club, with training sessions ramping up intensity under Hansi Flick.
The Catalans have been carefully managing workloads, particularly for key players who have been heavily involved in recent fixtures.
Injury concerns and fatigue have dominated preparations, with the coaching staff keen to maintain freshness for the high-stakes encounter.
Tactical drills have focused on defensive organisation and transitions, with Flick placing emphasis on resilience against Athletic’s aggressive style.
Meanwhile, fitness assessments have continued for several first-team players returning from knocks or minor setbacks in recent weeks.
Amid these preparations, fresh reports from Mundo Deportivo suggest that Ronald Araujo could yet be included in Barcelona’s matchday squad for the semi-final clash.
The Uruguayan defender, who travelled with the official delegation to Saudi Arabia, has made encouraging progress since his red card against Chelsea on November 25.
While starting him remains unlikely, there is growing confidence he could feature among the substitutes if his recovery continues positively.
Ronald Araujo has used the period away from the spotlight to reset both physically and mentally, with the Christmas break helping him refocus for the remainder of the season.
Since returning to training, he has impressed Hansi Flick and his staff with his responsiveness and physical readiness.
Although he was left out of the recent derby against Espanyol, his sensations in training have been positive, and internal optimism suggests he is ready to take the next step.
Barcelona are being cautious, recognising the importance of Araujo in high-intensity matches, and are not rushing his reintegration.
Having him available, even from the bench, would give the team additional defensive security and tactical flexibility against Athletic Club.
The final call on his inclusion will come after he completes another session with the squad, at which point the coaching staff will decide whether he makes the definitive semi-final squad.
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