Barcelona are gearing up for a crucial phase of the season that could define their success for the season.
The Catalans are slated to play Atletico Madrid over two legs in the Champions League quarterfinals, starting with Wednesday’s first leg at Camp Nou.
In between, Barcelona are set to lock horns with local rivals Espanyol, where a win could go a long way in further solidifying the team’s claim for the title.
In the midst of this crucial phase, Barcelona have been handed a key boost, with Frenkie de Jong nearing his return to the pitch.
Barcelona’s plan with De Jong
A recent report from Mundo Deportivo has offered some insights into Barcelona’s plan with de Jong and how the club are looking to bring the player back into the thick of things.
It appears de Jong is all set to return to the pitch this coming weekend, when the Catalans take on local rivals Espanyol.
However, the club’s idea is to hand de Jong only a few minutes so that he can get used to the speed of things.
Barcelona’s goal is to make sure de Jong is available for the second leg Champions League fixture against Atletico Madrid. His presence there could be invaluable at a time when the team has lost Marc Bernal to a fresh injury.
Although Bernal is hoping to recover in time for the second leg clash, Barcelona are unlikely to take any unnecessary risk with the youngster’s fitness.
De Jong, to that end, is more suited to feature in that game due to his experience and leadership that could prove to be integral against an Atletico Madrid side that will likely try and frustrate the Barcelona team.
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