Any absence is critical for Barcelona coach Quique Setien. The enforced absence of Clement Lenglet at Mallorca next weekend due to suspension leaves him with few alternatives.
On Sunday, Barça trained as usual with the focus on their defence, above all the centre-backs Samuel Umtiti and Ronald Araujo. The surprise was that Umtiti was not involved. The second trained with the first team and didn't play for the B team due to the risk of injury or suspension, as he's the fourth choice centre-back currently.
As well as Araujo, Sergi Puig, Ramos Mingo, Matheus and Ansu Fati trained from the B team. Riqui Puig and Alex Collado did not, as they played against Llagostera. Barça are not in action again until Mallorca on Saturday, which comes four days before the decisive duel against Napoli in the Champions League.
For that reason, Setien has given hos players Monday off. They will return to training Tuesday at 18.00h local time.
Umtiti will come into the side in Lenglet's place and partner Gerard Pique in the middle of the defence. The French defender, as Lenglet was against Real Sociedad, is one booking from a ban.
Therefore, with suspensions and injuries mounting, Uruguayan defender Araujo's role could be important in the coming weeks. He has to be ready to be involved if needed and handed an opportunity.
Bimaimnuz
0
We should bring him up properly so dat he become can one of the best defenders in the world
beaadotz
0
Satien sud give d Young guns chance they can make it against Marloca
yieceiopr
0
please play him this weekend
P_Taneja
2
Give him chance against mallorca please some minutes at least and then for next season we can go as follows bring back cout,alena, and todibo to strengthen the core maybe sign a good defender and we can let go off some players that are struggling to get minutes and performing
himaeilrs
4
Satien even looks worse than Valverde in terms of given youngsters chances. At a critical moment where squad dept has depleted to the core, he still doesn't trust in the younger players. That is a very bad feeling because when the entire squad is available when would he ever look to the young players?
Jekdmnpty
0
To be Frank, Ronald Araujo will even become better than Van dijk, but the coach don't use him. I hope he will feature in the Real Mallorca game. FORCA BARCA
and todibo
kudcdmz
3
Use araujo instead of pique
Mocabeips
7
To be Frank, Ronald Araujo will even become better than Van dijk, but the coach don't use him. I hope he will feature in the Real Mallorca game. FORCA BARCA
saumouz
1
I like him hope he will enjoy second game as a first team
Rahul-Barca
2
R.Araujo is a Physical , We decorated CB. I would like to play him with him . umtiti is lost his pace as well as he is getting fatty in recent time.
recckmnort
0
arujo is the best diffender,but Barcelona still no good coach.
ha4lay
3
this guy can be a very good defender if given the chance.but I don't know the work of a coach.if u can't develop this players u are waiting for the board to buy players from elsewhere for u then u not a coach