Araujo expected to miss Barcelona’s clash with Napoli

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The defender has a sprained ankle

Ronald Araujo is expected to miss Barcelona’s Champions League with Napoli after suffering a sprained ankle against Sabadell on Sunday.

The club confirmed the injury in a statement late on Monday:

“Tests carried out on the player Ronaldo Araujo have confirmed that the player has a sprained right ankle. The player is not available for selection and his recovery will dictate his return.”

Araujo’s injury is expected to rule him out of action for three weeks, meaning he is out of the last-16 second leg against Napoli on August 8, according to AS.

Indeed it also means he’s doubtful for the quarter-finals if Barcelona were to beat Napoli and progress to the final eight tournament in Lisbon.

The news will be a blow given Samuel Umtiti is already sidelined and Clement Lenglet is undergoing treatment. Lenglet is expected to be fit in time, but Araujo’s injury means Barca lack defensive cover.

Barcelona will begin their preparations for the game when they return to training on Tuesday, with Quique Setien being tipped to call up Jorge Cuenca to replace Araujo.

Source: barcablaugranes.com