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Barcelona are growing increasingly impatient with Frenkie de Jong, who is still grappling with persistent physical problems. The wait for coach Hansi Flick to have the midfielder fully fit seems endless.
De Jong recently recovered from ankle issues that sidelined him for five months, but is now dealing with a minor muscular discomfort that poses a setback in his quest to return to peak condition.
So much so that, AS reports that there is pessimism surrounding De Jung’s fitness heading into tonight’s La Ligament clash against Sevilla.
On the eve of the game, manager Flick was transparent about his plans, stating he had prepared for De Jong to be in the starting lineup against Sevilla.
The German coach has consistently expressed unwavering faith in the Dutch midfielder, praising his ability to break through defensive lines, his vertical play, and his knack for making surprising runs into the opponent’s box.
Another setback? (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
But the manager confirmed that during Friday’s training session, De Jong experienced some muscular discomfort, casting doubt on his starting position.
This season, De Jong has seen limited action, playing nine minutes against Alaves and 15 minutes against Young Boys in the Champions League.
After these brief appearances, it was anticipated that the international break would provide him the opportunity to regain confidence and return to form.
Flick intended to give him a starting role this Sunday against Sevilla, but unexpected muscular issues—not related to his ankle—have now put both his starting position and even his inclusion in the matchday squad in jeopardy.
Dutch national team coach Ronald Koeman acknowledged last week that De Jong played “scared” and is “far from being at 100%.” The three injuries to his right ankle have affected his confidence, leading him to avoid returning until he was completely pain-free. This caution may explain why…
Source link : https://barcauniversal.com/barcelona-pessimistic-about-star-midfielders-fitness-after-latest-setback/
Author : Michel Durant
Publish date : 2024-10-20 07:44:48
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