Frenkie de Jong still not quite fit to return for Barcelona

FC Barcelona had loads of excellent news recently with the returns of a number of gamers from accidents. Alejandro Balde, Jules Koundé, and Eric Garcia had been confirmed to be again match by supervisor Hansi Flick. This provides the protection a lift in an important juncture.

Nevertheless, Frenkie de Jong just isn’t fairly but prepared. “We have now to attend for Frenkie,” Flick mentioned, saying he could also be match subsequent week. When the Dutchman is again, he’s absolutely to start out in midfield. Nevertheless, Barça have dealt effectively together with his absence. Marc Bernal, specifically, has performed an excellent job as his deputy.

Regardless, De Jong’s return is vital. His mixture of passing, dribbling, defending, and motion in assault is difficult to interchange. Barça could must do with out him for a clutch match in opposition to Atlético de Madrid tomorrow in La Liga.

The Catalans play in opposition to the identical crew within the UEFA Champions League subsequent Wednesday. He could not but be 100% then, however likelihood is higher that he’d play. There’s the Catalan derby in opposition to Espanyol on the eleventh and the second leg in opposition to Atléti on the 14th. That would be the third time the Blaugrana sq. off in opposition to Diego Simeone’s males in fast succession, for what can be a hotly contested, bruising sequence of matches.

If Barcelona are to progress within the Champions League and preserve first place in La Liga, they may absolutely want De Jong to play some half.