Barcelona face double suspension scare ahead of Champions League tie vs Club Brugge | OneFootball

As Barcelona prepare to take on Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League, Hansi Flick faces a delicate balancing act in midfield. 

The Catalans, who are already dealing with the absence of Pedri, now have to manage two key players who are one booking away from suspension, namely, Frenkie de Jong and Marc Casado.

Both midfielders are walking a disciplinary tightrope. If either picks up another yellow card against Brugge, they will be suspended for the following group-stage encounter against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. 

For Flick, who is already short of options in the centre of the park, this creates an uncomfortable dilemma.

Short in option

Barcelona travel to Belgium on the back of a morale-boosting 3-1 victory over Elche, which helped them recover confidence after their El Clasico defeat. 

That match was crucial as Barcelona found a way to deal with Pedri’s absence as well.

The midfielder’s recovery is expected to take around a month, leaving the coach with very limited options in midfield. 

De Jong and Casado are at risk of suspension. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Under these circumstances, Flick is likely to stick with the De Jong-Casado partnership in the double pivot. 

It is a pairing that worked efficiently against Elche, offering both balance and control, but it’s also one yellow card away from creating a major selection crisis.

Adding to the tension, Marc Bernal is still being eased back after a year-long absence due to a serious knee injury. 

Flick is reluctant to push the young midfielder too soon, prioritising his long-term fitness over short-term needs. 

If either player is booked in Belgium, Barcelona will head into the Chelsea clash without a natural replacement, a scenario Flick will be desperate to avoid. 

For Barcelona, the mission in Bruges will not only be to win, it is to win without losing anyone for the crucial Stamford Bridge showdown.