Frenkie de Jong’s exclusion from Barcelona’s starting lineup against Mallorca in La Liga Matchday 23 surprised fans, especially after he had started five consecutive matches and played every minute since Pedri’s injury two weeks earlier.
An unexpected decision from Hansi Flick
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De Jong was expected to lead the midfield, but German coach Hansi Flick opted to start Marc Casado alongside Olmo and Fermin, a move that surprised observers and raised questions about the Dutch star’s exclusion.
The official reason for the exclusion
Flick told Movistar+: “Frenkie wasn’t 100% fit, so we decided he would start on the bench.” While it was not clarified whether the decision was due to fatigue from previous matches or a minor injury, the choice was made with the upcoming Copa del Rey semi-final against Atlético Madrid on Thursday at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in mind, where De Jong is expected to be a key player in controlling possession.
De Jong’s exclusion remains controversial news and puts the spotlight on Flick’s tactical decisions in the crucial upcoming matches, directly affecting Barcelona’s lineup in the competitions ahead.
