MADRID, July 8 (Xinhua) -- Although he still hasn't held his first training session with the club, new FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick is already facing two injury problems for key players when the new season kicks off on August 16.
Uruguayan central defender Ronald Araujo is likely to be out of action for around two months after tearing his hamstring in his country's win against Brazil in the Copa America on Saturday.
Araujo went to ground after just 15 minutes and was in tears as he limped out of the game. He will now miss the rest of the Copa America, as well as pre-season with his club and is unlikely to be available until at least early September.
Spain international midfielder Pedri will also miss the start of the season after twisting his knee ligaments in the opening minutes of his side's dramatic 2-1 win over Germany in the European Championship quarterfinals on Friday.
The player, who is still only 21, was caught by a bad tackle by Toni Kroos and is expected to be sidelined for around six weeks.
Pedri's injury history, however, doesn't invite optimism over a swift recovery, given that he has been plagued by problems, usually hamstring injuries, ever since playing in the 2020 European Championships and then the Tokyo Olympics at the end of his first full season with Barcelona.
He has suffered eight serious hamstring issues in the past three years, missing over 70 matches as a result, and consequently the club is unlikely to rush him back this time. ■
