Flick reveals De Jong 'not 100 percent' ahead of Mallorca clash
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick explains Frenkie de Jong's absence from starting XI, discusses team's playing style and youngsters ahead of RCD Mallorca match.
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has opted to keep Frenkie de Jong on the bench for their clash with Mallorca, revealing the Dutch midfielder isn’t fully fit despite Pedri’s absence through injury.
De Jong fitness concerns
Flick was straight to the point about his decision to leave the influential Dutchman out of his starting lineup against the islanders, making it clear it was purely a precautionary measure.
“De Jong is not at one hundred percent,” Flick explained in his pre-match comments. The German gaffer added that they’ll monitor the situation during the game, suggesting De Jong could still make an appearance off the bench if needed.
This comes as a bit of a surprise given Pedri’s unavailability through injury, leaving Barça looking somewhat light in central midfield for today’s fixture.
Playing philosophy remains unchanged
The Barcelona boss also touched on his team’s approach against Mallorca, emphasizing that sticking to their principles remains paramount:
- Maintaining concentration throughout the match
- Playing with conviction and belief
- Adhering to their established style regardless of opposition
Flick seems dead set on Barça keeping their identity rather than Adam and Eve-ing it with tactical tweaks for different opponents.
Praise for youngsters
When asked about wonderkid Lamine Yamal, Flick was full of praise for the teenager’s attitude:
“I can see he’s enjoying himself, both in matches and training sessions. He’s very positive, which is absolutely crucial for him to perform at his best level.”
The German also had kind words for young Virgili, who has trained with the first team on several occasions: “I know him because he trained with us for a few days. He’s doing very well, which is the most important thing when you go to other teams.”
With De Jong not at full tilt, all eyes will be on how Barça’s midfield copes against a Mallorca side that will fancy their chances of nicking something at the Camp Nou.