Report outlines potential return dates for three key injured Barcelona stars | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have had a number of injuries to contend with in recent weeks but it does look like they are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. With La Liga and the Champions League both still alive, Hansi Flick needs reinforcements quickly.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Alejandro Balde, Jules Kounde and Frenkie de Jong are all expected back after the current international break. The report says Balde is the one closest to returning, with the left-back seen as the fastest of the three to recover.

Balde suffered a distal biceps femoris injury in his left thigh on March 3 during the Copa clash against Atletico Madrid. At the time, the forecast was around four weeks out, which means he could return right on schedule for the league meeting with Atletico on April 4.

Kounde was injured in that same match, suffering a tear in the middle third of the left biceps femoris. He may need slightly longer than Balde, possibly around one extra week, which leaves his return against Atletico possible but not fully certain.

He could be back either for that league game or for the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against the same opponent. De Jong’s case appears a little more delicate. The Dutch midfielder picked up a distal biceps injury in his right leg in training on February 26, and the initial estimate was five to six weeks out.

That timeline means the fifth week falls around the Atletico match in La Liga, but the report notes that De Jong is typically very careful with recoveries. Because of that, his comeback may be pushed back a little further, with the Espanyol derby a week later also mentioned as a realistic target.

Regardless of whether it happens a week before or after, what matters is that all three players return in top shape. Balde and Kounde will be essential as full-backs in the big Champions League games while Frenkie along with Pedri and Bernal will be expected to hold fort in midfield.

Let’s wait and see how things play out on this injury recovery front and when the trio return to action.