Ronald Araujo urges Barcelona to 'wake up' ahead of El Clasico following back-to-back defeats

 

Barcelona have lost back-to-back fixtures and are struggling with a litany of injuries as they head into Thursday's El Clasico. Robert Lewandowski, Pedri and Ousmane Dembele are all out, while the rest of the front line is misfiring. Still, Araujo insisted that the Blaugrana can get back to winning ways against their biggest rivals.

 "El Clasico is always special, and it’s a match that everyone wants to play. Madrid are a team with great players. We’re ready,” he told Barca TV. "The team is like a family, we are all close to each other. We’re coming from two consecutive losses, but the team is good and we know our potential. We have to wake up and turn the page.

"There’s still a lot left for the end of the season, and we’re top of the league."

The Blaugrana have a seven-point lead atop La Liga, and despite being hit with an injury crisis, should be in a good position to push for their first league title since 2018-19.

The Blaugrana face Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey on Thursday, before hosting Valencia in La Liga the following Sunday.