Hansi Flick Reveals Frenkie de Jong’s Absence Due to Discomfort as Barcelona Announce Starting XI Against Atlético Madrid

Hansi Flick Provides Update on Frenkie de Jong's Absence Against Atlético Madrid

FC Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has addressed the absence of Frenkie de Jong from the starting lineup for today’s crucial La Liga match against Atlético Madrid. De Jong, who was expected to start, was ruled out due to discomfort. Speaking on the situation, Flick stated, "Frenkie de Jong is out due to discomfort - he was supposed to start, but unfortunately he couldn’t."

De Jong has been working on his recovery from a right ankle injury that sidelined him for five months. Despite his recent progress, the discomfort he experienced ahead of the match against Sevilla prevented him from featuring in the starting eleven. Flick emphasized that De Jong's full fitness is the priority, as the coaching staff carefully monitors his recovery to ensure a safe return to action.

Barcelona's Starting XI Against Atlético Madrid

In De Jong’s absence, Flick has named Marc Casadó in the starting lineup. The complete starting XI for Barcelona is as follows:

Flick expressed confidence in the squad despite De Jong's absence, praising Casadó’s readiness to step into the role. He also noted that the decision to rest De Jong was made to prioritize the player’s long-term fitness and performance.

Barcelona will be aiming to secure a vital victory against Atlético Madrid, with Flick hopeful that De Jong will return to full strength in the coming matches.