Barcelona midfielder all but out of Atletico Madrid clash

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are both counting the cost of the international break as they come into the decisive phase of their seasons. The two sides will face off three times in 10 days after the break, which will define the European fate of both sides, and perhaps Barcelona’s title challenge too.

The major news for Barcelona over the international break was an injury to Raphinha. The Catalan giants will almost certainly be without their Brazilian lynchpin for the entire month of April, a significant blow. On the other hand, Atletico Madrid have potentially lost Alexander Sorloth, and will be without Johnny Cardoso for at least two of their meetings.

Frenkie de Jong unlikely to make La Liga clash

As per Diario AS, Frenkie de Jong is highly unlikely to be available for their La Liga clash with Atletico too. The Dutchman is targeting a return the following Wednesday at Camp Nou against Los Colchoneros. On Wednesday, de Jong continued doing work in the gym rather than out on the pitch, leaving him just two training sessions in which to prove his fitness before the Atletico game, after more than a month out. Given the significance of the fixtures after it, Hansi Flick is unlikely to take any risks with de Jong.

Good news elsewhere on injury front for Barcelona

However Flick will have more options available to him on Saturday than before the break. Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde have both been training on the pitches this week, and are expected to be available, as is the case for Eric Garcia, allowing him more flexibility to choose his backline. All three have the potential to start in Madrid, although the form of Gerard Martin and Joao Cancelo means that Flick is under no pressure to rush all three back. In the meantime, it seems likely Marc Bernal will partner Pedri in de Jong’s absence.

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