Barcelona midfielder set to receive more minutes in coming games, has Flick’s confidence

Frenkie de Jong is set to get more playing minutes under his tank in Barcelona’s upcoming match against Sevilla, reports Santi Gimenez in AS. 

It is no secret that Barcelona are entering a crucial phase of their season, with a series of high-stakes matches on the horizon. 

First, they will host Sevilla at home, followed by a challenging Champions League clash against Bayern Munich. The week will conclude with El Clasico against Real Madrid, a stretch that will test the true standing of the current La Liga leaders.

Hansi Flick, Barcelona’s coach, will be eager to have his key players back from injury to face these demanding fixtures. 

One of the returning stars is de Jong, who, after a brief nine-minute appearance against Alaves, is expected to get more game time in the coming matches.

A sweet headache

Frenkie de Jong will play a role against Sevilla. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

De Jong’s importance to the team cannot be understated. Flick has immense faith in his abilities and his versatility on the pitch. 

There is a strong possibility that de Jong will rotate with Marc Casado in the pivot position, though in the Champions League tie against Young Boys, both players shared the field. 

While de Jong’s role is being re-established, some positions in the midfield are more certain. Pedri remains a fixture in the squad, and Dani Olmo is also expected to feature in the attacking midfield role.

The Dutchman’s return does present a selection dilemma for Flick. De Jong is slowly regaining his fitness after the international break, and he played a part in the last two games before the break.

However, Eric Garcia has been dependable in the pivot role in recent matches, partnering well with Casadó and Pedri to form a solid midfield trio. 

Flick will need to carefully manage the minutes of those returning from injury to ensure balance and avoid overexerting his key players during this critical stretch.