Araujo Joins Training as Iraola Prepares Team

Ronald Araujo wasted no time getting started. The defender, who completed his loan move from FC Barcelona on Monday, was straight into the thick of it as he joined his new teammates for a sharp midweek training session.

The Uruguay international slotted into drills with little ceremony, immediately involved in the high-tempo work that has become a hallmark of Andoni Iraola’s sessions. No easing in, no gentle introduction. Just straight to the pace required.

Alexis Mac Allister was also on the grass after beginning his pre-season earlier in the week, adding another key technical presence to the group. His return brought an extra layer of fluency to the ball work, with the midfielder quickly finding his rhythm in tight spaces.

There was more good news for Iraola. Jeremy Jacquet and Curtis Jones, both absent from last weekend’s game against AS Monaco, were back in full training. Their involvement lifted the numbers and the intensity, with competition for places already starting to sharpen.

The session itself was brisk and unforgiving. Rapid-fire rondos, tight passing sequences, and aggressive team drills set the tone, all geared towards sharpening reactions and raising physical levels ahead of the next test.

And that test comes quickly. Iraola’s squad are building towards a friendly double-header against Como 1907, and the tempo on Wednesday made it clear: these are not going to be gentle tune-ups.