One Barcelona player is a suspension risk against Atletico Madrid if yellow-carded against Rayo – Report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are at a stage of the season where they do not want to lose important first-team players to injuries or suspensions. Hansi Flick is already having to deal with the absences of Frenkie de Jong, Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde.

One player whose prominence has risen in recent weeks is Marc Bernal. He will take to the pitch against Rayo Vallecano with more than just the match itself on his mind. The Barcelona midfielder is one booking away from suspension, which means another yellow card would rule him out of the league clash against Atletico Madrid after the international break.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Bernal is the only available Barca player walking that line ahead of Sunday’s game at Spotify Camp Nou. He has become an important piece in midfield, especially with Frenkie de Jong unavailable, and his recent run has shown how much trust the staff now place in him.

Bernal has already managed to avoid suspension in the last two league games against Athletic Club and Sevilla after picking up his fourth yellow card against Villarreal. He came through those tests, but the risk has still not disappeared.

What makes this especially relevant is Barca’s schedule. Atletico away is exactly the kind of match where control in midfield becomes vital, and Bernal’s calmness, positioning and ability to keep the game tidy could be badly missed if he is forced out.

Frenkie may be back by then, but Flick is unlikely to want to be in a position where he is forced to start him in his first game back from injury. Speaking of the Dutchman, he and Kounde are also one yellow card away from suspension, but neither is available tomorrow.

Barcelona fans will hope that the 18-year-old defensive midfielder comes through the Rayo game unscathed and is available to face Atletico.