Barcelona have been dealt a significant setback ahead of tonight’s late-night kickoff at Camp Nou, as midfielder Frenkie de Jong has been ruled out of the crucial La Liga encounter against Atlético Madrid due to a sudden fever. The club confirmed that the Dutch midfielder is not included in the matchday squad, leaving coach Hansi Flick with an unexpected gap to fill in the heart of midfield.
De Jong has been one of Barcelona’s most consistent and influential performers this season, displaying remarkable control, vision, and composure in Flick’s evolving system. His absence could force the coach to rethink his tactical approach, especially in a fixture as intense and physically demanding as a matchup against Atlético. Flick has relied heavily on De Jong’s ability to dictate tempo under pressure, progress the ball through tight spaces, and link defensive actions with attacking transitions.
With Atlético Madrid arriving at Camp Nou in strong form, the timing of this setback is far from ideal. Flick will likely look toward the likes of Pedri or Fermin López to shoulder extra responsibility in midfield, but De Jong’s unique blend of dynamism and positional intelligence will be difficult to replicate. The coach’s concern is understandable, given how pivotal the midfielder has been to Barça’s improved performances in recent weeks.
