Barcelona began their training week with a full squad in preparation for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Atl\u00e9tico Madrid, but the session revealed a real crisis in midfield.<\/p>\n
De Jong continues his recovery\u2026 and his absence disrupts Flick’s plans<\/p>\n
Frenkie de Jong is still training individually after being sidelined for over a month with a muscle injury, meaning he will miss the first leg at Camp Nou. The club is taking a cautious approach to avoid any setbacks at this crucial stage of the season, focusing on his return for the second leg at the Wanda Metropolitano.<\/p>\n
Flick’s options limited in midfield<\/p>\n
De Jong’s absence leaves Hansi Flick with limited options in the holding midfield position, relying on Eric as the only available choice, while the coach has not used Casado this season. Flick is forced to call up players from the reserve team to compensate for the absences, including Tommy M\u00e1rquez, \u00c1lvaro Cort\u00e9s, Xavi Espart, and Diego Cochin.<\/p>\n
More injuries add to the concern<\/p>\n
Joining Frenkie de Jong on the injured list is Marc Bernal, who missed training after being diagnosed with a sprained ankle, as well as Rafinha and Christensen, who have begun their recovery programs. These absences underscore the pressure on Flick ahead of crucial Champions League and La Liga matches.<\/p>\n
The ultimate goal: Ready for the second leg<\/p>\n
Barcelona’s priority now is to get their key players fit for the second leg against Atl\u00e9tico Madrid, as the Catalan side seeks to secure a place in the semi-finals. Any rush to bring back injured players could expose the team to further risks in the competition.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Barcelona began their training week with a full squad in preparation for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Atl\u00e9tico Madrid, but the session revealed a real crisis in midfield. De Jong continues his recovery\u2026 and his absence disrupts Flick’s plans Frenkie de Jong is still training individually after being sidelined for over …<\/p>\n