Barcelona manager Hansi Flick: “Frenkie de Jong can start tomorrow”

Madrid – Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has handed his midfield conundrum a dramatic twist, declaring that Frenkie de Jong is ready to start Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg at Atlético Madrid after the Dutchman completed his rehabilitation from a six-week muscle-tear lay-off.

De Jong, 26, marked his return in Saturday’s Catalan derby, setting up Marcus Rashford during the closing stages of a 4-1 rout of Espanyol, and Flick confirmed the Netherlands international has vaulted ahead of Marc Bernal in the pecking order.

“With Frenkie it’s much better than Marc Bernal. It’s difficult for him. Frenkie can also start. We’ll see what I decide. We’ll see later,” the German told reporters at the Metropolitano, where a raucous 70,000-strong crowd is expected.

The statement leaves Flick juggling options alongside Pedri González. Eric García is poised to drop into central defence to cover for the suspended Pau Cubarsí, freeing a midfield berth that could be filled by De Jong, Gavi or the less-favoured Marc Casado.

“Of course Gavi can play. Gavi is a player who gives everything for this team, for the club. On the pitch, he is not afraid of anything, and this is important,” Flick said. “We’ll see tomorrow where he plays, when. We have time and we’ll see this evening.”

Regardless of the final XI, Flick demanded bravery on both sides of the ball. Atlético overturned a first-leg deficit in each of their last-16 and last-eight ties, and the Barça boss expects a cauldron.

“The atmosphere in the stadium will be fantastic. We need a strong and stable defence, but also be brave in the offence; we have to press, we have to go forward. Use every chance. It’s the difference between us when you see the last game,” he said.

Much of Barcelona’s attacking thrust will again flow through 18-year-old winger Lamine Yamal, whose recent one-on-one exploits have drawn lavish praise. Yamal, Rashford and either Robert Lewandowski, Dani Olmo or Ferran Torres are set to form the front three.

“Lamine has performed really good in the last games. He has to make these things, where he is the best in the world in one-on-one situations, dribbling. We also have to give him the option to pass. We have to play as one unit; this is important. The collective, not the individual,” Flick added.

Yamal, speaking before his manager, welcomed the weight of expectation. “Pressure is a virtue,” the teenager said.

Kick-off at the Metropolitano is scheduled for 21:00 CEST, with the tie poised after a gripping first leg at the Estadi Olímpic.