Flick-De Jong relationship broken after CL refusal
SIGNAL22.07.2026 21:37 UTC
25h 38m before kickoff
KICKOFF23.07.2026 23:15 UTC
SCORE0:1
Gerard Romero reports that the trust between Hansi Flick and Frenkie de Jong has broken down after de Jong refused to play in the Champions League quarterfinal against Atletico Madrid despite medical clearance. This internal conflict could affect de Jong's playing time.
What it means
- Frenkie de Jong refused to play against Atletico despite doctors' green light.
- Hansi Flick has lost trust in de Jong, blaming him for poor injury management.
- The situation has increased Gavi's role and may impact future selections.
Model read
The strained relationship between coach and key midfielder weakens Barcelona's squad harmony and could lead to de Jong being benched or sidelined, a notable negative for the team's midfield depth.
CompetitionLaLiga
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