During a recent interview, de Jong himself expressed that he was ready to make his official return: “I had been out for a long time and had only recently returned to team training, so it was completely normal for the coaching staff to assess me properly in training. Now, I think I’ve shown that I’m ready.”

Dani Olmo’s absence could be a headache for Hansi Flick, but having de Jong on the bench gives the manager more options to adjust his strategy. It remains to be seen whether the midfielder will finally return to the pitch after an extended spell on the sidelines.

What happened to Frenkie de Jong?

Frenkie de Jong suffered a severe knee ligament injury in his right knee while playing for the Netherlands during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, specifically during their Round of 32 knockout match against Morocco on June 29, 2026.

After undergoing medical evaluations in Barcelona during the offseason, the injury proved to be a ligament tear, ruling him out for around four months and forcing him to miss the entire pre-season and the opening stretch of the 2026–27 La Liga campaign.

Hansi Flick’s starting XI for El Clasico

With the goal of securing all three points at home against Real Madrid, these are the eleven players who will take the field to defend Barcelona’s colors: Joan Garcia; Xavi Espart, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Joao Cancelo; Rodri, Pedri, Fermin Lopez; Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Anthony Gordon.

Key takeaways

• Frenkie de Jong starts on the bench for Barcelona due to a recent injury.
• Frenkie de Jong suffered a right knee ligament injury on June 29, 2026.
• Hansi Flick selected his starting XI for Barcelona against Real Madrid in El Clasico.

Neither Rodri nor Frenkie de Jong will feature in Barcelona’s starting XI today against PSG, with Flick electing to start both on the bench. De Jong continues to work his way back from injury and is expected to feature as a second-half substitute to gain match fitness.

As for Spain’s Euro-winning midfielder Rodri, he featured in Barcelona’s previous fixture and is fully healthy, making his bench role a tactical decision by Flick; he remains a potent option as a substitute.

Wearing its 2025-26 orange third kit in Paris against PSG, Barcelona enters a raucous environment with official lineups now locked in for this critical league phase matchup.

Confirmed lineups for PSG and Barcelona

With Lamine Yamal and Raphinha spearheading the attack for Barcelona and Ousmane Dembele linking up with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for PSG, that will not count with Nuno Mendes today, fans are set for an explosive night in the French capital.

Here are the confirmed starting XIs and substitutes:

• PSG
• Starting XI:
  • Goalkeeper: Matvey Safonov
  • Defenders: Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Lucas Hernandez
  • Midfielders: Joao Neves, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz,
  • Forwards: Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
• Substitutes:
  • Lucas Beraldo (DF), Illia Zabarnyi (DF), Ferran Torres (FW), Maghnes Akliouche (MF), Lucas Digne (DF), Mika Godts (FW), Senny Mayulu (MF), Dro Fernandez (MF), Lucas Chevalier (GK), Warren Zaire-Emery (MF), Quentin Ndjantou (FW), Adam Mouak (GK)
• Barcelona
• Starting XI:
  • Goalkeeper: Joan Garcia
  • Defenders: Joao Cancelo, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Xavi Espart
  • Midfielders: Marc Bernal, Pedri, Dani Olmo
  • Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Anthony Gordon, Raphinha
• Substitutes:
  • Alejandro Balde (DF), Brian Farinas (MF), Gavi (MF), Fermin Lopez (MF), Gabriel Jesus (FW), Wojciech Szczssny (GK), Karim Adeyemi (MF), Rodri (MF), Frenkie de Jong (MF), Dominik Livakovic (GK), Hamza Abdelkarim (FW)

Key takeaways

• Hansi Flick benched Rodri and Frenkie de Jong for Barcelona’s match against PSG, due to tactical decision.
• Barcelona will wear their 2025-26 third kit for today’s Champions League match.
• Lamine Yamal and Raphinha lead Barcelona’s starting attack in their confirmed lineup.

De Jong remains sidelined with a knee injury, taking a cautious approach to his recovery ahead of a grueling upcoming schedule for the Spanish giants, with LaLiga and Champions League in the horizon.

Gavi is expected to step into the starting XI in De Jong’s absence. Anchored by Rodri, Barcelona‘s midfield retains plenty of firepower to control the tempo against the Turkish champions.

Barcelona will also be without winger Raphinha, raising questions among supporters about how manager options will reshuffle the attack in today’s fixture against Galatasaray.

Confirmed lineup for Barcelona against Galatasaray

Even down two starters, Barcelona remains formidable upfront with Lamine Yamal and Anthony Gordon, both coming off standout performances in domestic action and their Champions League opener.

Here is how Barcelona is confirmed to line up today:

Goalkeeper: Joan Garcia

Defenders: Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Joao Cancelo

Midfielders: Rodri, Pedri, Dani Olmo

Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Anthony Gordon

With this strong unit expected to take the pitch, Barcelona fans will be watching closely as a victory today would push the club to the top of the Champions League standings.

Key takeaways

• Frenkie de Jong missed out on Barcelona’s Champions League squad due to a knee injury.
• Gavi is expected to start in place of the sidelined midfielder against Galatasaray.
• Raphinha joins de Jong on the sidelines, forcing adjustments to Barcelona’s attack.

De Jong remains sidelined as he continues rehabilitation for a persistent knee injury. The setback capped a frustrating summer that forced him out of the 2026 World Cup and kept him sidelined for Barcelona’s early-season La Liga fixtures.

With kickoff times and broadcast details confirmed in the U.S. for the Netherlands vs Germany, fans are bracing for an intense showdown between two of European football’s traditional powerhouses.

In addition to De Jong, Xavi will be without Donyell Malen, Mats Wieffer, Justin Kluivert, and Matthijs de Ligt due to injury. On the opposite side, Klopp will be forced to shuffle his midfield as Leon Goretzka misses out with a knee issue of his own.

Netherlands lineup without De Jong

Despite the laundry list of absentees, Xavi is anchoring his defense around captain Virgil van Dijk, who remains the team’s vital leader. Here is how the Oranje will stack up against Germany:

• Goalkeeper: Bart Verbruggen
• Defenders: Denzel Dumfries (RB), Jan Paul van Hecke (CB), Virgil van Dijk (CB, C), Micky van de Ven (LB)
• Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch (CM), Quinten Timber (CM), Tijjani Reijnders (AM)
• Forwards: Crysencio Summerville (RW), Brian Brobbey (ST), Cody Gakpo (LW)

Both powerhouses enter a new era eager to rebound from disappointing round-of-32 exits at the 2026 World Cup. The Nations League offers a crucial first test as Xavi and Klopp begin shaping their squads for the road to Euro 2028.

Key takeaways

• Managers Xavi Hernandez and Jurgen Klopp will make their international debuts in the match.
• Midfielder Frenkie de Jong remains sidelined due to a persistent knee injury.
• Germany’s Leon Goretzka will miss the game with a knee issue.

De Jong is missing today’s match vs. Elche due to a tear in the MCL of his right knee. He suffered the injury during the 2026 World Cup. De Jong will be out for the foreseeable future.

De Jong opted for a more conservative medical treatment as opposed to undergoing surgery. Hence, he’ll be sidelined for multiple months, not just for this Elche game. In fact, his return timeline is expected to be around November.

Who will play instead of De Jong?

Instead of De Jong, players like Gavi, Marc Bernal or even a young prospect in Xavi Espart could take the field. It seems like manager Hansi Flick will have to lean towards in-house-grown talent. Elche vs. Barcelona will be broadcast in the USA.

Marc Casado is nearing his exit from the club, and star signing Rodri is nursing an injury. Hence, the options are absolutely limited. Therefore, it might be a new time to shine for a young academy player.

Barcelona hasn’t played yet

Despite this being the Matchday 2, Barcelona are yet to debut in this LaLiga edition. Elche have already played one game this season and it was an away draw against Deportivo La Coruna.

As for Barcelona, this is the first game as they’ll face a much tougher test on August 27th against Athletic Club Bilbao. Hence, this match vs Elche could be seen as a tune-up game for Barcelona.

“Normally I don’t pay much attention to what is being written about me, the team, or the club. But recently, there’s been a lot of speculation about my injury and my situation with Barcelona,“ de Jong posted to his Instagram account.

“I injured my knee,” de Jong continued. “The doctors told me it was a minor issue and that it wouldn’t worsen if I kept playing, the only challenge was managing the pain… However, upon returning to Barcelona for further examinations, scans revealed the injury was more severe than initially diagnosed.”

De Jong’s statement sets the record straight on the timeline of his injury—a medical setback that nearly ruled him out of the World Cup altogether, which would have dealt another massive blow to the Dutch squad alongside Jurrien Timber’s absence.

De Jong reaffirms commitment to Barcelona

Despite the medical setback, de Jong confirmed the injury will not require surgery and that he will focus on his rehab program. He also took the opportunity to reaffirm his long-term dedication to the Catalan giants.

“Playing for Oranje and Barcelona is something I take incredible pride in, and my commitment to both will never waver,” de Jong added, directly responding to fan criticism regarding his recent performances.

De Jong’s 2026 World Cup numbers

Much of the post-tournament backlash stemmed from his muted output during the Netherlands’ campaign—a performance now clearly contextualized by his compromised health. As he continues his recovery, Barcelona will patiently await his return to full fitness.

Here is a look at de Jong’s overall statistical footprint from the 2026 World Cup:

• Matches Played / Started: 4 / 4
• Minutes Played: 331′
• Goals: 0
• Assists: 0
• Pass Completion: 93.1% (217 completed / 233 attempted)
• Yellow / Red Cards: 0 / 0

The midfielder was part of a small group of players who did not train this week under the orders of Hanski Flick. Raphinha, Marc Bernal, and Andreas Christensen will be other absences.

The visitors, meanwhile, will also have absences. Pablo Barrios suffered a muscle injury, as did Jan Oblak, and they will not take part. Veteran defender Jose Maria Gimenez is also injured and will miss the first match of this tie.

Barcelona’s widespread dominance

Historically, FC Barcelona have dominated the rivalry against Atletico Madrid, securing 115 victories compared to the Colchoneros’ 78 wins, with 57 draws across all competitions. The most recent meeting between these two teams in a competition was the dramatic Copa del Rey tie, where Simeone’s side ended up winning the series 4–3.

On April 4, in a new LaLiga matchday, Barcelona defeated Atletico 2–1 at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium. Marcus Rashford, Robert Lewandowski, and Giuliano Simeone were the goalscorers.

Hansi Flick’s starting XI

With the notable absence of Frenkie de Jong in midfield, these were the players selected by Flick for the first leg of the 2026 UEFA Champions League quarterfinals:

Joan Garcia; Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Joao Cancelo; Eric Garcia, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Marcus Rashford; Robert Lewandowski.

“Next week, Frenkie will be able to start training with the group. But step by step. We must wait,” manager Hansi Flick stated during his pre-match press conference, confirming the Dutchman is not yet match-ready.

This marks the eighth consecutive game de Jong has missed. Despite his absence, Barca have remained in elite form, recording seven wins and one draw (a 1-1 result against Newcastle in the Champions League). In his stead, young talent Marc Bernal has stepped up effectively alongside Pedri.

Flick prioritizes long-term fitness for grueling April schedule

One of the primary reasons for prioritizing a full recovery for Frenkie de Jong is the congested fixture list Barcelona face in the coming days. Just four days from now, on April 8, Barcelona will face Atletico Madrid again at the Camp Nou for the first leg of the Champions League Quarterfinals.

Following that, the return leg will take place at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on April 14, with a high-stakes Barcelona Derby against Espanyol scheduled at the Spotify Camp Nou on April 11 sandwiched in between.

Reinforcements return for Barcelona

While de Jong remains out, Hansi Flick received a significant boost with the return of several key defenders. “The positive news is that we have recovered Kounde, Balde, and Eric [Garcia],” Flick noted, solidifying a backline that will be under immense pressure tonight.

With this information in mind, Hansi Flick is expected to field the following probable lineup to face Atletico Madrid: Joan Garcia; Joao Cancelo, Gerard Martin, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia; Pedri, Marc Bernal, Fermin Lopez; Marcus Rashford, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres.

The Dutch midfielder remains sidelined with a significant hamstring tear in his right distal biceps femoris, an injury that has disrupted Hansi Flick’s tactical spine at a critical juncture of the season.

With De Jong officially ruled out, Flick must now pivot to find a creative solution in the double pivot, as the playmaker is not expected to return to the squad until after the upcoming international break.

The injury crisis extends to the Blaugrana backline, where Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde are both unavailable due to thigh injuries sustained in early March.

The Magpies are also without the defensive stability of Fabian Schar and the midfield presence of Bruno Guimaraes, both of whom remain out with long-term knocks.

Winner eyes potential Madrid clash

The stakes extend beyond tonight’s result, as the winner of the Barcelona-Newcastle tie is slated to face either Atletico Madrid or Tottenham in the Champions League quarterfinals.

A resilient Newcastle side—buoyed by the return of Anthony Gordon—look to pull off a historic upset and eliminate one of the tournament’s betting favorites on their home turf.

Official Barcelona lineup vs. Newcastle

In the absence of De Jong, the burden of creativity falls squarely on the shoulders of Pedri and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. Gavi also returns to the matchday squad to provide a much-needed emotional and defensive lift for Flick’s depleted rotation.

FC Barcelona Starting XI:

Goalkeeper: Joan Garcia

Defenders: Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Ronald Araujo, Joao Cancelo

Midfielders: Marc Bernal, Pedri, Fermin Lopez

Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski

The Dutch midfielder suffered a hamstring injury in his right leg during a training session with Barcelona in late February 2026. Medical tests confirmed damage to the outer lower hamstring (distal biceps femoris).

With Barca beginning a crucial knockout tie in the Champions League, his absence is a huge blow for Hansi Flick’s men as they aim to come back home with a positive result ahead of the second leg in Spain. Follow our liveblog of Newcastle vs Barcelona and don’t miss a single thing!

When will Frenkie de Jong play again?

Frenkie de Jong could return to action in late March or early April if his recovery goes as planned. The Barcelona midfielder is expected to miss around five to six weeks after suffering a hamstring injury in late February.

According to ESPN and Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman, his estimated return date is around late March, although the exact timing will depend on how well he progresses through rehabilitation and training.

Because it occurred shortly before the Champions League knockout stage, the Dutch international is also expected to miss multiple domestic matches and potentially the upcoming international window with the Netherlands.

The club’s medical staff will likely avoid rushing his comeback to prevent aggravating the injury. When he returns, he is expected to reclaim a central role in Barcelona’s midfield.

What happened to Frenkie de Jong?

De Jong’s injury occurred during a routine training session ahead of a busy stretch of fixtures. After further evaluation, the medical team confirmed that the midfielder would need several weeks of recovery and rehabilitation.

His absence is significant because he often acts as the team’s primary ball-progressor and tempo controller in midfield. Without him, the coaching staff has had to rely on alternatives such as Pedri, Fermin Lopez or younger midfielders.

Lewandowski has been ruled out of the semifinal clash after sustaining a fractured left eye socket during Barcelona’s recent 4-1 LaLiga victory over Villarreal. In an official statement on X, the club confirmed the injury.

“First-team player Robert Lewandowski picked up an injury in the recent game against Villarreal. Tests have diagnosed a fracture of the left eye socket. He will miss the game against Atletico Madrid,” Barcelona stated.

Meanwhile, the Dutch international Frenkie de Jong is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a distal biceps injury in his right leg during a training session.

“The medical tests have confirmed that the expected recovery period will be approximately five to six weeks,” the Spanish giants reported, effectively ruling the midfielder out for over a month of action.

Hansi Flick navigates growing injury list

Beyond Lewandowski and de Jong, manager Hansi Flick continues to navigate a depleted roster. Long-term absentees Gavi and Andreas Christensen remain in recovery and are unavailable for selection. Furthermore, defender Eric Garcia is suspended for the second leg following his straight red card at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

However, it is not entirely bleak for the Catalan giants. Flick will be able to lean on Pedri and Marcus Rashford, both of whom have successfully returned from recent injuries and featured in the win over Villarreal.

Their availability provides a much-needed offensive boost as Barcelona look to pull off a historic European-style “Remontada” on home soil, like they did to PSG during the Round of 16 of the 2016-17 UEFA Champions League.