Barça men: day off, De Jong doubt
Barcelona’s men were given a day off on April 1 and resume training April 2 as international returnees come back to the squad. (x.com) Meanwhile Frenkie de Jong has yet to rejoin group sessions, casting doubt on his availability for the April 8 Champions League tie. (marca.com)
Barça’s Champions League quarter-final first leg is scheduled for Wednesday, April 8 at Spotify Camp Nou against Atlético Madrid, according to UEFA’s official fixtures. (uefa.com) Roony Bardghji and Robert Lewandowski were involved in national-team play on March 26 during the international window, part of a stretch in which roughly a dozen first‑team players were away with their countries. (fcbarcelona.com) (tribuna.com) Club medical tests recorded De Jong sustained an injury to the distal biceps of his right leg in training on February 26, with the expected recovery period put at approximately five to six weeks. (rtve.es) (espn.com) Sources reporting on his rehabilitation say De Jong has been following an individualised training programme and has not yet been reintegrated into full-group work, leaving his involvement for April 8 uncertain. (goal.com) (sports.yahoo.com) Hansi Flick has publicly emphasised caution around De Jong’s recovery and said the squad has depth to manage absences while the player builds back to full fitness. (football-espana.net) (goal.com) In the matches since De Jong’s layoff, Flick has used combinations including Pedri and Fermín López in central roles — both started in the 7-2 Champions League win over Newcastle — while academy prospect Marc Bernal has been highlighted as a potential midfield option. (uefa.com) (sports.yahoo.com)
