Difficult moments for Barcelona and head coach Hansi Flick. Just at a time when the German coach was hoping to restore stability in midfield with the Frenkie de Jong–Pedri partnership, another heavy blow has arrived.
The Dutch midfielder suffered a new injury during Thursday’s training session and was forced to stop after feeling pain in the back of his thigh.
Initial medical examinations confirmed a rupture of the biceps femoris, an injury that will keep him sidelined for at least one month. Spanish daily AS summed up the situation with the dramatic headline: “Frenkie Breaks Down.”
Blow Ahead of Crucial Matches
This development represents a serious problem for Flick, as Barcelona are entering a decisive phase of the season. The Catalans face key fixtures, including the Copa del Rey semifinals 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 Pedri, who according to the plan should 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 options alongside Pedri, while another possibility is moving Eric García into the defensive midfield role.
The first real test without De Jong will be the clash against Villarreal, where Barcelona will aim to maintain their momentum in the league despite the absences.
De Jong has played 31 matches in all competitions this season, scoring one goal and providing seven assists. With an average rating of 7.41, he ranks as Barcelona’s fourth-highest-rated player in La Liga—a clear indicator of his importance to the team’s system.
