Report – Why key Barcelona midfielder is not in the squad to face Alaves | OneFootball

Just before FC Barcelona announced their starting lineup for the game against Alaves, reports emerged claiming that key midfielder Frenkie de Jong was a doubt for the fixture.

As it turned out, the Netherlands international was not named in the lineup by Hansi Flick, nor was he present among the substitutes.

Reason for De Jong’s absence

Providing an update on the situation, Marta Ramon of RAC1 reports that De Jong’s absence from the Barcelona squad against Alaves is due to ‘family reasons’.

Reports of De Jong’s unavailability started doing the rounds after he did not join the rest of the squad for the pre-match gathering before leaving for the team hotel this morning.

The reason for the same, however, was not clear. But it is now being suggested that his absence is due to personal, familial reasons.

Absent from the squad. (Photo by Paul Miller/Getty Images)

As such, the Dutch midfielder will once again miss out on the opportunity of playing at the renovated Camp Nou, having missed the Athletic Club clash last week due to suspension.

So far this season, the 28-year-old midfielder has played in 15 matches across all competitions, registering two assists in the process.

With De Jong unavailable and Pedri not yet ready to start, Flick has opted to go with a midfield pairing of Marc Casado and Marc Bernal, with the latter making his first start of the season.

Eric Garcia, who started as a defensive midfielder in the last two matches against Athletic Club and Chelsea, has been moved to right-back, with Jules Kounde being left out.