Report lists games Frenkie de Jong could miss for Barcelona | OneFootball

Timing is everything in football, and FC Barcelona know that all too well, often learning the hard way when crucial players are sidelined. The club has now received more bad news, as Frenkie de Jong has suffered an injury during today’s morning training session.

According to the official medical report, the 28-year-old Dutch midfielder sustained an injury to the distal biceps of his right leg. Tests indicate that he will need approximately five to six weeks to recover, ruling him out of a significant part of the season.

With this timeline in mind, according to Mundo Deportivo, it is possible to identify the matches de Jong is likely to miss. The midfielder will definitely be unavailable for at least eight games, including league clashes against Villarreal, Athletic Club, Sevilla, Rayo Vallecano, and Atletico Madrid.

He will also miss the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid and the UEFA Champions League round-of-16 tie, where Barça are waiting to discover whether their opponent will be Paris Saint-Germain or Newcastle.

If the recovery is on the shorter end of the estimate, de Jong could return in time for the Champions League quarter-final first leg or the La Liga derby against Espanyol. Even in the best-case scenario, however, he will miss crucial matches that could prove decisive in both domestic and European competitions.

The absence of Frenkie de Jong leaves Hansi Flick with a gap in midfield, but there is some good news for Barça. Pedri has returned to full fitness at an ideal moment, and Gavi is close to making his comeback as well. In addition, Marc Bernal has impressed in recent appearances and may step into the role de Jong leaves behind.

The upcoming weeks will be challenging for Barcelona as they navigate key league fixtures and knockout ties in the Champions League and Copa del Rey without one of their most influential players. The team will be hoping for a smooth recovery for their vice-captain, who remains central to their ambitions this season.