Countdown to Return: Can Barcelona's Wounded Stars Be Fit for Atlético Clash?

Injury update ahead of Atlético clash

Barcelona's coach Hansi Flick is tracking the progress of key players as the club heads into a decisive period in both La Liga and the Champions League.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Alejandro Balde, Jules Kounde, and Frenkie de Jong are nearing returns after the international break to reinforce the squad for the battle for the league title and Europe.

Expectations are that Balde could feature soon after his left thigh injury sustained in the Copa del Rey clash with Atlético Madrid on March 3. If he plays against Atlético on April 4, he will have served roughly four weeks.

Kounde's injury, a tear in the middle third of the left biceps femoris, has not had an official return date yet; he might require a little longer than Balde, possibly an extra week, with a potential return ahead of or during the Atlético tie, unclear whether for La Liga or the Champions League quarter-final first leg.

De Jong is dealing with a right biceps femoris injury suffered in training on February 26, with an expected absence of five to six weeks.

With the league game against Atlético Madrid set for April 4, the timing of De Jong's return could slip to the next weekend's derby with Espanyol, depending on his recovery and test results.

Marc Bernal's strong performances in the holding midfield role have influenced the timeline for De Jong's comeback, giving Flick more options and perhaps accelerating the Dutchman's return.

Read also: Lamine Yamal and Fermín López reportedly rejecting Flick's decisions.

Punchline: If injuries were players, Barça would have a stacked squad… of grumpy reserves.

Punchline: Flick's calendar is busier than a goalkeeper's clipboard—every page has a note about healing time.