Frenkie de Jong injured: How long will the Barça midfielder be out and which games will he miss?
The Dutch star faces a significant setback just before key Copa and Champions League clashes, leaving Barça scrambling for midfield options.
It was a tough Thursday for Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick. The German coach, who had been hoping to reunite Frenkie de Jong and Pedri in midfield for upcoming matches, saw that plan fall apart almost immediately.
According to AS, the Dutch international de Jong left Thursday morning’s training with significant pain in the back of his thigh. Early medical exams confirmed a hamstring tear, with a minimum recovery time of one month.
The games Frenkie de Jong will miss
The news hit Flick hard. One of his key midfield references will be missing from several critical games, including the Copa del Rey semifinal against Atlético Madrid and the Champions League round of 16 tie. Pedri is still expected to play around 60 minutes this Saturday against Villarreal, but he will be without his usual partner in central midfield.
If de Jong is ultimately sidelined for a month, he will be forced to sit out the following seven games:
- Feb. 28: Barcelona vs. Villarreal (LaLiga)
- Mar. 3: Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid (Copa del Rey semifinal second leg)
- Mar. 8: Athletic Club vs. Barcelona (LaLiga)
- Mar. 10-11: PSG or Newcastle vs Barcelona (Champions League round of 16 first leg)
- Mar. 15: Barcelona vs. Sevilla (LaLiga)
- Mar. 17-18: Mar. 10-11: Barcelona vs. PSG or Newcastle (Champions League round of 16 second leg)
- Mar. 22: Barcelona vs. Rayo Vallecano (LaLiga)
The midfielder may also be in danger of missing Netherlands’ friendly games against Norway (Mar. 27) and Ecuador (Mar. 31).
Who will replace de Jong for Barça?
With de Jong sidelined, Flick will have to rely on players like Marc Bernal, Marc Casadó, or even Eric García to fill the midfield alongside Pedri. Saturday’s clash with Villarreal will serve as the first real test of Bayern’s midfield without the Dutchman on the pitch.
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