De Jong’s health scare casts a shadow over Barcelona ahead of El Clasico

What’s at stake as Clasico approaches

Barcelona face a looming Clasico against Real Madrid on Sunday in the tenth round of La Liga, with injuries and absences continuing to haunt the club.

The German coach Hans Flick received another setback on Thursday morning, as Frenkie de Jong missed training, sparking concerns inside the Catalan club days before the season’s biggest clash.

According to the Spanish newspaper Sport, De Jong did not participate in Barca’s Thursday session due to a sudden health issue, feeling unwell because of digestive problems that kept him out of the group workout.

The paper noted that his condition is not classified as a muscular or physical injury, but it remains a worry, especially with the Clasico approaching and the difficulty of replacing him in midfield given his importance in Flick’s system.

De Jong, one of the most influential players in Barca’s setup since Flick arrived last summer, captains the side in the absence of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and stands as a midfield pillar alongside Pedri, making any absence impactful on the team’s tactical balance.

The anxiety doubles after Christensen scenario

What has intensified Barca’s anxiety is the parallel with what happened a few days earlier to Danish defender Andreas Christensen, who missed the Europa League tie with Olympiakos due to gastritis, and then continued to miss training on Thursday as well.

The club and staff fear De Jong’s illness could last as long as Christensen’s, potentially keeping him out of the Clasico if he doesn’t recover quickly in the next 24-48 hours.

Sport indicated there is no fixed return timetable, and the final decision will hinge on his improvement in the hours ahead.

The list of absences widens

The potential De Jong absence comes amid Barca’s unprecedented injury crisis this season, with several key players out, notably midfielder Gavi who is out for the season after a knee injury sustained with the Spanish national team, as well as Polish striker Robert Lewandowski and midfielder Dani Olmo. Backup goalkeeper Juan Garcia remains sidelined due to a muscular injury.

These injuries have forced Flick to rotate almost every match in recent weeks, affecting team cohesion and causing some fluctuation in form, even as Barca stays near the top of La Liga and continues its European campaign.

Despite the grim mood in Thursday’s training, Flick received good news from his wingers Rafinha and Ferran Torres, who both rejoined full team training without any fitness issues.

Rafinha, who had picked up a muscle injury before the international break in the match against Real Oviedo, returned to full training for the first time in around two weeks, making him a candidate to feature against Real Madrid.

As for Ferran Torres, he had already rejoined the squad for the Olympiakos game on Tuesday after missing the Girona match (which Barca won 2-1), and his readiness to start in the Clasico was confirmed, giving Flick extra attacking options he desperately needed.

Flick’s scenarios to replace De Jong

If De Jong is confirmed out, Flick will need to find a replacement capable of leading midfield against Real Madrid, which is no easy task.

The available options appear limited, with youngster Marc Casado expected to continue alongside Pedri in the pivot, with Fermín López taking on the attacking role behind the forwards.

There is also the option of deploying defender Eric Garcia in a defensive midfield position, a role he has filled temporarily in some previous matches, though this option carries risk against a strong opponent like Real Madrid.

Youthful Marc Bernal, who recently recovered from a cruciate ligament injury, has played only a few minutes this season (31 minutes in four games), and it is unlikely Flick will risk starting him in such a high-stakes game.

The tactical importance of De Jong

De Jong is not just an ordinary midfielder for Barcelona; he is the balance hub and the link between the three lines, the player Flick relies on to build from the back and to drive the ball out under pressure.

His ability to shift tempo and control the rhythm of the game gives Barca a distinctive tactical edge, especially in big clashes like the Clasico, where the team needs players able to absorb pressure and maintain possession.

With Ter Stegen absent, De Jong has worn the captain’s armband in several recent matches, underscoring his leadership within the locker room and the coach’s trust in him on and off the pitch.

Punchline time to close: If De Jong sits this one out, Barca’s midfield might turn into a waiting room—great for suspense, not so good for the scoreboard. And if the ball could talk, it would beg to be passed to Pedri, because apparently he’s the only one who can choreograph this dance with less improvisation.