Barcelona manager Hansi Flick faces fresh problems during the international break, with Frenkie de Jong set to undergo a medical assessment and Raphinha unable to return early from Brazil duty despite being suspended.
De Jong left the Netherlands camp after suffering a problem following his return from a lengthy absence caused by a knee injury sustained during the World Cup.
Netherlands manager Xavi Hernandez initially referred only to back pain after the team’s victory over Greece. However, the Dutch Football Association later confirmed that De Jong would not travel to Berlin for Monday’s match against Germany. According to AS, the Barcelona midfielder is in fact experiencing pain in his thigh.
Barcelona are waiting for further clarity. Sport reports that De Jong will be examined by the club’s medical staff next Monday, when a decision will be made on whether he requires additional tests.
One thing is already clear: the Netherlands international will be rested this week and is considered highly unlikely to feature against Villarreal at Camp Nou.
Barcelona are taking particular care because the injury affects a sensitive area and De Jong has only recently returned from his previous spell on the sidelines. Flick is not prepared to take unnecessary risks with his midfielder.
Barcelona question Brazil decision
The club also has concerns over Raphinha’s situation.
The Barcelona forward was sent off during Brazil’s 3-2 defeat by Japan after strongly protesting the Japanese side’s late goal. As a result, he is automatically suspended for Brazil’s second friendly against Singapore on Tuesday.
Barcelona had hoped Raphinha would be released early so he could prepare for the resumption of club football. Instead, the Brazilian Football Association has decided that he will remain with the squad.
Rodrigo Caetano, general executive coordinator of Brazil’s men’s national teams, said: “Raphinha will stay. In principle, he will stay with us… his departure would not make sense, he is one of our leaders.”
That means Barcelona’s captain will not return to Catalonia until Tuesday, even though he cannot play in the match.
Sport reports that Barcelona does not want to enter into a dispute with the Brazilian Football Association, but the decision is not understood internally. The association has previously allowed suspended players to leave during international breaks, according to the report.
The decision also carries a significant sporting cost for Flick’s side. Raphinha faces a flight lasting almost 12 hours, followed by a seven-hour time difference, before joining his team-mates during a demanding week.
Barcelona host Villarreal next Sunday before travelling to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to face Qarabag in the Champions League.
That journey will require a further flight of more than five hours for Raphinha, who could otherwise have benefited from several valuable days of rest and preparation.
