Barcelona is set to take on Serbian side Red Star Belgrade tonight in the fourth round of the Champions League. The Catalan club is determined to continue its recent run of positive results, aiming for a win that would significantly boost their chances of progressing directly to the tournament’s next stage.
A victory over Red Star would not only reinforce their position in the group but also bring them closer to qualifying early, a clear objective for the team this season.
In a recent report by the Catalan sports newspaper Sport, midfielder Frenkie de Jong reportedly sent a message to head coach Hansi Flick expressing his eagerness to play a bigger role in the lineup. De Jong has been sidelined with an injury for several weeks, but he has returned to the squad as a substitute in recent matches, where Marc Casado and Pedri have been covering his midfield duties.
Now fully recovered, the Dutch international is prepared to make his comeback as a starter, hoping to reestablish himself as an essential player in Flick’s game plans.
The report also indicated that Flick may indeed be considering De Jong for a starting role in tonight’s game against Red Star. This selection would mark De Jong’s first start since the Clasico match at the Bernabéu in mid-April, a notable return for the midfielder after a lengthy absence.
Although Flick has maintained a consistent lineup in recent games, sources suggest there will be only minor changes to the starting eleven for this match, with De Jong potentially leading these adjustments.
A win tonight would allow Barcelona to maintain their upward momentum and move one step closer to the Champions League knockout stage. Both the team and its fans are hopeful that De Jong’s return will strengthen their midfield and help secure the victory needed to solidify their position in the group.
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