Barcelona suffered a fresh injury scare during their La Liga clash against Atletico Madrid when young midfielder Marc Bernal was forced off the pitch after coming on as a substitute. The incident added to the team’s growing injury concerns, as defender Ronald Araujo had already left the field earlier in the same match.
The situation now raises questions about Barcelona’s squad fitness ahead of their crucial UEFA Champions League encounter with Atletico Madrid later this week.
Barcelona’s Injury Trouble Begins with Ronald Araujo
The injury issues started in the first half when Ronald Araujo, who had begun the match at right-back, asked to be substituted. The Uruguayan defender appeared uncomfortable and left the field with what looked like a muscular problem.
⚠️ ¡Lesión de Marc Bernal!
— Diario SPORT (@sport) April 4, 2026
🩺 El canterano del Barça tuvo que retirarse en el minuto 62 ante el Atlético por molestias musculares
⏳ Su baja complica los planes de Flick, que ya no cuenta De Jong y solo tiene a Casadó y Eric García como mediocentros disponibles pic.twitter.com/ugn1ufxY3G
After coming off, Araujo was seen on the bench with an ice pack, indicating a possible muscle injury. His early exit forced Barcelona to adjust their defensive structure during an important away match in the Spanish capital.
Marc Bernal subbed on for Araújo after he picked up an injury in the first half.
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 4, 2026
Marc Bernal then subbed off with an injury of his own in the second half 😬 pic.twitter.com/NWm1kXdeXz
Marc Bernal was brought on as his replacement in the 40th minute.
Ronald Araujo Injury Overview
| Player | Position | Substitution Time | Possible Issue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ronald Araujo | Defender | 40th minute | Suspected muscular injury |
Marc Bernal Forced Off After Second-Half Injury
Barcelona’s problems worsened shortly after the hour mark when Marc Bernal himself had to leave the pitch due to injury.
Bernal had only been on the field for around 20 minutes after replacing Araujo. The young midfielder appeared to twist his ankle during play and was unable to continue.
Initial updates suggest the injury is related to his ankle rather than a muscle problem. The exact severity remains unclear, and medical staff are expected to assess whether it is simply a twist or a sprain.
Marc Bernal Match Injury Details
| Player | Position | Entered Match | Left Match | Injury Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marc Bernal | Midfielder | 40th minute | Around 62nd minute | Twisted ankle |
The moment created an unusual situation in the match: Bernal had come on as a replacement for an injured teammate, only to suffer an injury himself soon after.
Potential Blow for Barcelona Before Champions League Clash
Barcelona are now facing uncertainty ahead of their midweek Champions League match against Atletico Madrid.
Both Ronald Araujo and Marc Bernal are considered major doubts for the game after their injuries during the La Liga encounter. Losing two players in the same position group could force manager Hansi Flick to rethink his lineup and tactical setup.
The situation becomes even more complicated because midfielder Frenkie de Jong has not yet been cleared to return to action. Reports indicate that the Dutch international is still not fully fit and may also miss the upcoming European match.
Barcelona Fitness Situation Before UCL Match
| Player | Status | Concern |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Araujo | Doubtful | Muscular issue |
| Marc Bernal | Doubtful | Possible ankle sprain |
| Frenkie de Jong | Unavailable | Not yet declared fit |
If these players remain unavailable, Barcelona could face the Champions League fixture with a thinner squad than expected.
What Bernal’s Injury Means for Barcelona
Marc Bernal has recently been involved in important matches and had started the last two Champions League games before this weekend’s league clash. During that stretch, he even managed to score once, highlighting his growing role in the squad.
His injury therefore comes at a crucial time in the season when Barcelona are competing on multiple fronts. Losing a player who has been gaining momentum in Europe could disrupt the team’s balance in midfield.
With the Champions League match against Atletico approaching quickly, Barcelona’s medical team will be closely monitoring Bernal’s ankle condition over the next few days.
Manager Hansi Flick Faces Key Selection Decisions
Hansi Flick may now need to adjust his squad planning depending on how the injured players recover.
If Bernal’s ankle problem turns out to be a minor twist, he could still have a chance to recover quickly. However, if the injury is confirmed as a sprain, his availability for the Champions League tie could become unlikely.
The same uncertainty applies to Araujo, whose muscular issue could require further evaluation.
Barcelona supporters will be hoping the injuries are not serious, as the upcoming European match could play a key role in the club’s season.
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