Catalan club are facing an injury crisis in midfield – yet again
Barcelona are preparing for yet another meeting with Atletico Madrid this season, this time in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
The two sides have already met twice in the league and twice in the Copa del Rey this season, Atletico emerging the winners in the cup competition. Barcelona will be eager to avoid that in Europe’s elite competition.
The Catalan club head into the midweek fixture at Camp Nou dealing with more injury concerns. Pedri is fit but midfielder Marc Bernal has been ruled out, which further limits options for head coach Hansi Flick in the centre of the pitch.
There is some encouragement, however, regarding Frenkie de Jong. The midfielder is nearing a return after his recent injury, although he has been definitively ruled out of the first-leg clash against Atletico.
De Jong is expected to resume team training shortly and could be available for the weekend Catalan derby against Espanyol. His return would provide a timely boost for Barcelona given their current shortage of midfield options, with Gavi still not fully match fit despite making his comeback from injury.
If De Jong is able to feature at the weekend against Espanyol then perhaps he will regain sufficient fitness in time to play a role in the second leg against Atletico.
