Frenkie de Jong targets Champions League debut against Newcastle after injury confirmation
Published New:8/09/2025 - 23:44h
Updated New:8/09/2025 - 23:49h
Barça confirmed a minor right leg injury for Frenkie de Jong. As a precaution, the midfielder is likely to be rested against Valencia
Frenkie de Jong suffered a minimal injury to the external obturator muscle of his right leg in the match between Netherlands and Poland (1-1). The midfielder was replaced in the 83rd minute due to discomfort near his glute and medical tests carried out by FC Barcelona confirmed the root of the problem.
The Arkel native returned to Catalonia on Saturday, ruled out for the match against Lithuania (2-3). Now, his evolution will determine his availability for the Azulgrana's next matches, against Valencia (Sunday 14) and Newcastle (Thursday 18), with the latter being a priority for the club as it is their debut in the UEFA Champions League.
How long will Frenkie de Jong be out for Barcelona?
In this regard, understanding that it is a 'minimal' injury, it is likely that Hansi Flick will have De Jong available on Sunday for the fourth matchday of LaLiga EA Sports. However, just as Ronald Koeman preferred, as a precaution, to rest him against Lithuania, it is likely that the German coach will do the same against Valencia.
El jugador 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐞 𝐝𝐞 𝐉𝐨𝐧𝐠 ha sufrido una mínima lesión en el músculo obturador externo de la pierna derecha. Su evolución marcará su disponibilidad. pic.twitter.com/u20Ak5iYz7
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) September 8, 2025
Frenkie was already absent from matchday 2 against Levante (2-3) due to special leave (the birth of his son). That day, Marc Casadó took his place in midfield, while in the second half, Gavi was in charge of accompanying Pedri González.
Understanding that the '6' will probably be out on Sunday due to his right knee discomfort, it would be logical to have De Jong, at least, on the bench, provided he manages to train normally from Thursday or Friday.
Otherwise, Eric García could lend a hand as a pivot, a position he already covered in the initial part of the 24/25 season as an alternative to Casadó. The other available option could be Marc Bernal, provided Flick considers it appropriate to call up the Berga native for the first time this season.
The 18-year-old player has strictly completed his year-long recovery after tearing his left knee at the end of August 2024 and would now be ready to return to action, gradually accumulating minutes, just as Gavi did last season.
Newcastle-Barça, absolute priority for Frenkie de Jong
Thus, Frenkie de Jong's absolute priority is to be 100% against Newcastle next Thursday, September 18. Barça debuts in the Champions League visiting St. James' Park, a always difficult ground where the Catalans have one victory (0-2 in 2002) and one defeat (3-2 in 1997) in their two previous visits.
Last season, the Azulgrana fell in their debut against Monaco (2-1), also away, a scenario that Hansi Flick will seek to avoid by fielding his gala XI in England. In fact, Barcelona lost in their last two away games in the tournament, against Borussia Dortmund (3-1 in the quarterfinals) and Inter Milan (4-3 in the 'semis').
