Araujo to be suspended for Copa del Rey clash against Unionistas

Barcelona fans, after seeing Ronald Araujo sent off in the Spanish Super Cup final, will be wondering when he will serve his suspension. He will do so on Thursday, in the Copa del Rey round of 16 match against Unionistas. If it was already tough for Xavi Hernandez's side to return to day-to-day life after being beaten by their eternal rivals, it was even tougher without one of their most important men in defence.
The Catalans are the clear favourites in the national knockout tournament. Their opponents have got this far by winning a penalty shoot-out against Villarreal in a match that, in a sense, lasted two days. The match was suspended due to a problem with the lights at the Estadio Reina Sofia in Salamanca, so it took just under 24 hours for the match to be resolved.
The Uruguayan could be back in action in La Liga clash against Real Betis on 21st January, in exactly one week's time. Manuel Pellegrini's men, who will have the support of the Benito Villamarín for this game, will be looking to take advantage of the fact that the Catalan side will be morally shaken no matter what happens on Thursday, as even a win would not put the performance in Saudi Arabia behind them.
Barcelona will be back in front of their fans on 27th January, when they host a Villarreal side who do look to be a tough opponent considering their unstable form this season.