Barcelona manager Hansi Flick confirmed that Frenkie de Jong is fit to start in the upcoming Champions League match against Atletico Madrid after recovering from a muscle injury. Flick emphasized the need for a strong defense and an aggressive offensive strategy.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick: âFrenkie de Jong can start tomorrowâ
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick: âFrenkie de Jong can start tomorrowâ
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has opened the door for midfielder Frenkie de Jong to start against Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final. The Dutchman returned to action after six weeks out due to a muscle tear in late February.
Speaking ahead of the game, Flick said that his side needed to be brave in attack, and defend well. The German coach also warned his side that they would be facing a wall of noise at the Metropolitano.
âThe 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. Itâs the difference between us when you see the last game.â
âFrenkie de Jong could startâ â Hansi Flick
De Jong played the final 10 minutes of the Catalan derby against Espanyol, coming up with an assist for Marcus Rashford in the final minutes of a 4-1 win. Flick stated that de Jong was fit to start the match though.
The major debate at Barcelona over the starting XI is who will partner Pedri Gonzalez in midfield. Eric Garcia is likely to drop into defence to cover for the suspended Pau Cubarsi, leaving an open spot for de Jong, or perhaps Gavi. Marc Casado has rarely been selected for big games of late.
âOf course Gavi can play. Gavi is a player who gives everything for this team for the club. On the pitch, he is not aftraid of anything, and this is important. Weâll tomorrow where he plays, when, we have time and weâll see this evening.â
Praise for Lamine Yamal
A significant portion of Barcelonaâs hopes will be on the shoulders of teenage forward Lamine Yamal, who has been in scintillating form of late.
âLamine 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. We have a lot of players with huge quality, but so do Atletico. Last time I said games are often decided by momentum. And hopefully itâs on our side.
What injury did Frenkie de Jong recover from to play against Atletico Madrid?
Frenkie de Jong recovered from a muscle tear that sidelined him for six weeks.
What did Hansi Flick say about the atmosphere at the Metropolitano Stadium?
Hansi Flick warned that the atmosphere at the Metropolitano Stadium would be intense, describing it as a 'wall of noise.'
What strategy did Hansi Flick emphasize for the match against Atletico Madrid?
Flick emphasized the importance of having a strong defense while also being brave and aggressive in attack.
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