Difficult moments for Barcelona and coach Hansi Flick . Just when the German coach was hoping to restore stability in midfield with the Frenkie de Jong – Pedri duo, another serious blow has come.
The Dutch midfielder suffered a new injury during Thursday’s training session and was forced to interrupt the session due to pain in the back of his thigh.
Initial medical tests confirmed a ruptured biceps femoris, an injury that will keep him out of action for at least a month. Spanish daily AS summed up the situation with the dramatic headline: “Frenkie breaks.”
Kicks before decisive challenges
This development poses a serious problem for Flick, as Barcelona enter a crucial phase of the season. The Catalans face key matches, including the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey and the round of 16 in the Champions League.
De Jong’s absence at this critical moment significantly disrupts the technical staff’s plans.
The only positive news is the expected return of Pedro, who is scheduled to play around 60 minutes in Saturday’s match against Villarreal CF.
Midfield alternatives
In the absence of the Dutchman, Flick will be forced to experiment in midfield. Youngsters Marc Bernal and Marc Casadó are mentioned as alternatives alongside Pedri, while another option is to move Eric García to the defensive midfielder role.
The first test without De Jong will be the match against Villarreal, where Barcelona will seek to maintain their pace in the championship despite the absences.
De Jong has made 31 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring one goal and contributing seven assists.
With an average rating of 7.41, he ranks as Barcelona’s fourth most-rated player in La Liga – a clear indication of his importance in the team’s schemes.