Barcelona’s midfield faces a significant challenge heading into their Champions League quarter-final against Atletico Madrid. For this week’s first leg at Spotify Camp Nou, only Pedri and Marc Casado are deemed fully fit, while Gavi is not yet prepared to start.
This situation is exacerbated by Marc Bernal’s ankle injury, sustained during the recent victory over Atletico Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. Although he’s projected to return in just 10 days, this timeline means he could potentially miss both crucial legs against Atleti, a significant blow given the teenager’s impressive recent performances.
Bernal now joins Frenkie de Jong on the injury list, though the Dutch midfielder is on the verge of returning. Manager Hansi Flick confirmed de Jong will resume training this week, and reports from MD suggest he aims to be medically cleared for Saturday’s derby against Espanyol.
De Jong’s absence dates back to late February when he sustained a hamstring tear during training, originally sidelining him for 5-6 weeks. This gave him only a slim hope of featuring in the Atletico Madrid tie. However, a successful return against Espanyol could pave the way for his involvement in the second leg at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
De Jong Faces Competition for Starting Role
De Jong’s season has been marked by fluctuating form. While he has been a consistent starter under Flick, the emergence of the impressive Bernal and Gavi’s impending full recovery mean he will likely face stiff competition to secure a regular spot in the starting XI.
Currently, de Jong’s immediate goal is to make his comeback this weekend, offering a much-needed boost to Barcelona’s injury-plagued squad.
