Barcelona to face Atlético without De Jong and Araujo
Barcelona will be without midfielder Frenkie de Jong for Tuesday’s LaLiga showdown against Atletico Madrid, with the club confirming the Dutch international is sidelined due to illness.
In a statement, Barça revealed De Jong is suffering from a fever, while coach Hansi Flick added on Monday that centre-back Ronald Araujo will also be unavailable, citing a “private situation.”
Araujo was sent off in Barcelona’s 3–0 Champions League loss to Chelsea last week, and local reports suggest he has requested a short “mental health break.”
“Ronald isn’t ready right now,” Flick said. “It’s a private matter. I won’t add anything else, and I ask you to respect that.”
Both players were absent from Barcelona’s win over Alaves on Saturday — De Jong due to a family matter, and Araujo because of a stomach bug, according to the club.
The Catalan side will also be missing Fermin Lopez, along with long-term injury casualties Marc-André ter Stegen and Gavi.
Barcelona, the reigning champions, hold a three-point lead over fourth-placed Atletico ahead of their meeting at Camp Nou.
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