Barcelona plan for Frenkie de Jong return ahead of crunch matches

Posted by
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Frenkie de Jong of FC Barcelona looks on during a training session ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 against Newcastle United at St James' Park on September 17, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images

FC Barcelona have seen their injury list shorten in recent days, although several key players are still in the process of recovering.

One such player who is still in his recovery process is the midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who has been out of action for quite some time now. He suffered a muscle injury during a training session on February 26th.

At that time, it was reported that this injury would keep the player out for 5-6 weeks, and as Mundo Deportivo has noted, this period is going to conclude next Thursday, 9th April, two days before the game against Espanyol.

Hansi Flick and his coaching staff are confident that De Jong will be ready to return to the squad for that match and could even see some minutes on the pitch.

The Dutch midfielder’s return on the pitch against Espanyol would serve for him to get back into proper shape ahead of the second leg of the UCL tie against Atletico Madrid, which will be played on Tuesday, 14th April.

Thus, Frenkie de Jong will not be able to play for FC Barcelona in the upcoming first leg of this tie, which is scheduled to take place this Wednesday.

Tags FC Barcelona Frenkie de Jong