Barça: 3 days before the Clasico, big concern for Frenkie De Jong!

Just three days before the long-awaited Clasico between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, panic has quietly begun to spread within the Catalan camp. The mood at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper is tense, as reports emerge that key midfielder Frenkie De Jong could miss the crucial encounter due to illness.

According to multiple Spanish outlets, the Dutch international did not take part in today’s training session after suffering from what the club described as a severe bout of gastroenteritis. The timing couldn’t be worse. With Barcelona’s midfield already stretched, De Jong’s absence would leave a gaping hole in Hansi Flick’s tactical system ahead of one of the season’s most defining fixtures.

The issue became more alarming when it was revealed that Andreas Christensen, who withdrew from the Olympiacos match earlier in the week for the same reason, has yet to fully recover. The coincidence of two players falling ill so close to one another has raised concerns inside the dressing room about a possible viral outbreak within the squad.

Medical staff have placed both players under close observation, and while club insiders insist the situation is “under control,” it’s clear that Flick’s preparations for Sunday’s showdown have been disrupted. Sources close to the team confirmed that De Jong has been confined to rest, with hopes he can resume light training within 48 hours — but even that might be cutting it dangerously close.

Barcelona’s midfield balance has already been tested this season. Without De Jong’s control and tempo-setting influence, Flick has often struggled to find rhythm, particularly in transitions. The Dutchman’s ability to dictate play under pressure has been irreplaceable since his arrival from Ajax, and his absence would likely force the manager to rethink his entire structure against Madrid’s high-intensity press.

Flick’s short-term options are limited. Ilkay Gündogan and Pedri could anchor the midfield, but both have endured fitness issues of their own in recent months. Youngster Fermin López, fresh off his brilliant hat-trick against Olympiacos, is expected to start regardless — but relying on youthful energy to dominate a match of this magnitude carries risks.

Meanwhile, Raphinha’s situation appears to be improving. The Brazilian winger, who has been sidelined with muscle discomfort, returned to partial training today. His recovery provides a rare piece of good news for Flick, who may now have at least one attacking reinforcement available for the weekend.

Still, the broader picture remains worrying. The Clasico, set to be played at the Santiago Bernabéu, comes at a delicate time for Barcelona. After an inconsistent start to the La Liga campaign, Flick’s men desperately need a result to stay within touching distance of Real Madrid at the top of the table. A defeat could widen the gap and reignite doubts over the team’s resilience under the new coach.

Spanish media outlets, including AS and Mundo Deportivo, have already sounded the alarm. Headlines like “De Jong Doubt – Flick’s Midfield Crisis” and “Barça Hit by Illness Before Clasico” dominate the sports pages. According to Cadena SER, team doctors will make a final decision on De Jong’s availability by Saturday morning after assessing his physical response to treatment.

The uncertainty surrounding both De Jong and Christensen is more than just a personnel issue — it’s a psychological blow. These are two leaders in the dressing room, and their absence on the pitch could sap confidence from a team already under scrutiny after a turbulent few weeks. Flick’s first Clasico as Barça manager was always going to be a test of character; now, it may also be a test of depth and adaptability.

If De Jong fails to recover in time, the responsibility to control the midfield will likely fall on Gündogan, with Pedri playing slightly higher up and Oriol Romeu providing defensive cover. Such an arrangement would lack the fluidity Flick usually demands, but necessity may leave him with no choice.

As the countdown to Sunday continues, Barcelona fans are clinging to hope that their Dutch maestro will recover in time. The stakes could not be higher — not just in terms of points, but in morale. A fully fit De Jong could be the difference between redemption and another round of uncomfortable questions for Flick’s fragile project.

For now, the message from the club is cautiously optimistic: “De Jong is under treatment and improving.” But until he steps back onto the training pitch, the tension will remain.

Three days before the Clasico, Barcelona’s focus has shifted from tactics to temperature checks — and the entire football world is watching