Barcelona suffer injury blow as Ronald Araujo ruled out for three weeks

Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo has aggravated his left adductor during El Clasico and will be out of action for up to three weeks, reports Diario AS.

Araujo will miss international duty with the Uruguayan national team and Barca’s La Liga trip to Elche. However, he is expected to return for the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Real Madrid.

The Uruguayan centre-back put in a defensive shift in the 2-1 thrilling victory over arch-rivals Madrid last night.

Although he was at fault for Madrid’s opening goal, Araujo was rock solid in the defence overall, successfully keeping Vinicius Junior in check.

Araujo was spotted with an ice pack on his left thigh, and the medical tests detected an adductor overload.

The news serves as a massive setback for Barca owing to Araujo’s significance. He had already missed a chunk of games this season due to a similar injury, which played a big part in Barca being eliminated from the Champions League group stage.

Araujo has made 22 appearances in all competitions this season, helping Barca maintain the best defence in La Liga – conceding only nine goals.

He has also enjoyed equal success in the right-back position this term and the recent two Clasicos were great instances.

Xavi switched Araujo from his natural centre-back position to right-back, mainly to counter the threat of Vinicius Junior.

The Uruguayan had the upper hand in the Copa del Rey semi-final and last night’s victory at Camp Nou, as he proved to be a kryptonite for the Brazilian winger.

Barca may go with Marcos Alonso or Eric Garcia as the centre-back options in the absence of Araujo against Elche after the international break.

It remains to be seen whether the Uruguayan will recover in time for the next Clasico.