Bad news for Xavi Hernández. Barça will lose one of their defensive stalwarts, Ronald Araujo, for the next match day in La Liga vs Cadiz.
The Uruguayan international received a yellow card in the 43rd minute of the match vs Villarreal yesterday. The Uruguayan received the yellow for a handball that, despite being unintentional, cut off an attack by the locals at La Cerámica.
Referee Hernández Hernández did not hesitate to show the yellow card to Araujo in a melee with Chukwueze in which, unintentionally and after control of the home player, the ball hit his right hand. The referee pointed for the foul and booked the Blaugrana defender.
It was the fifth yellow card the centre-back has seen so far in the LaLiga season. Therefore, he’s set to rest against Cádiz next Sunday at the Camp nou.
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Who will replace Araujo?
The most obvious solution would be to put Koundé as the center back next to Christensen. In that case, Sergi Roberto will most probably start the game at RB.
However, there are other options in the squad. Both Marcos Alonso and Eric Garcia would be happy to play some minutes, and Xavi might see that as an opportunity to rotate, in the middle of the clash vs Manchester United.
It’s fair to say that replacing Araujo would be impossible, especially in his current form. But Xavi has many options that should get the job done in a game at home vs Cadiz, even without Araujo. No excuses there.
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