Barcelona defender set to miss Real Sociedad clash

Barcelona defender ruled out for Supercup match against Real Sociedad.

Barcelona put on one of their finest displays of the season in their 4-0 rout of Granada. However, the match had an inauspicious start before a ball was even kicked.

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The Catalan side were forced to make a change to their starting lineup when center-back Ronald Araujo picked up an injury during warm-ups.

The club confirmed his injury but it does not appear to be too serious. According to their statement, Araujo has “an overload in the hamstring muscles of the right thigh.”

While no timetable was given for a return, they do not expect him to miss a significant amount of time. However, it is certain he will miss the team’s next match which is against Real Sociedad in the semifinal of the Spanish Supercup.

The expectation is he should make a full recovery and be fit for the match against Elche in late January.

The positive for manager Ronald Koeman is it allowed him to slot Samuel Umtiti in place of Araujo. The French defender played a solid game and showed flashes of his former self. At the very least, it gives Koeman another viable option in defense.

Since taking over for the injured Gerard Pique, Araujo has proven to be a good defender. The blunder against Valencia is the only blemish on his record but he was quick to take responsibility after the game.

In better news for Koeman, Clement Lenglet will be back after serving his one-game suspension. Either he or Umtiti will partner Oscar Mingueza who, like Araujo, has impressed since being called up from Barça B.