Barcelona receive huge Frenkie de Jong injury boost ahead of Champions League game
Barcelona have confirmed that Frenkie de Jong is in the club’s matchday squad for their UEFA Champions League clash with Young Boys this week.
The midfielder has only played 45 minutes for Barca since early March, aggravating an existing ankle problem during an El Clasico defeat to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu in April. He also missed Euro 2024 as a result of the ailment, having initially been selected by Netherlands.
But Hansi Flick has now been able to select De Jong in a matchday squad for the first time since taking charge, with the Dutch international making it into the 23-man group to face off against Swiss Pro League outfit Young Boys at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in the Champions League.
Speaking to the press, Flick expressed his delight at the opportunity to utilise De Jong in the game.
„This is super good news to have Frenkie back with us, whether it’s for five or 10 minutes, he’s very important for us,“ the coach explained.
„Frenkie’s attitude is great, he’s been involved with the team, he’s been willing to help the team, we needed his presence.“He’s gonna be ready, not to play 45 mins but 20 or 10 and it will do him a lot of good.“
De Jong’s return has come at an opportune time for a Barca side who have been faced with an injury crisis early in 2024/25. Along with the 27-year-old’s absence, Flick has also had to contend without Gavi, Fermin Lopez, Dani Olmo, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen and Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Midfielders Olmo, Fermin and Gavi could be in line for a return sooner rather than later too, with the latter currently back in training after an ACL injury.