Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez recently provided an update on midfielder Frenkie de Jong's injury.
The Dutch midfielder suffered a minor injury and could only make a substitute appearance during his team's 1-0 home win against Celta Vigo on October 10.
However, Xavi has said that the player is fine. It is unclear whether the Dutch midfielder will start in Barca's next game against Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League.
The Spanish tactician opined that De Jong could make an appearance as a substitute for the crucial upcoming clash. While talking to the media ahead of the game, here's what Xavi Hernandez said (via Barca Universal):
“He’s fine, he’s coming off a small injury, we’ll see if he’s ready to start or maybe in the second half.”
De Jong, 25, has played nine games for the Blaugranas so far this campaign. The player has managed to bag one goal as well.
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez opens up on the importance of Inter Milan clash
Barcelona started their UEFA Champions League campaign in style as they defeated Viktoria Plzen by a margin of 5-1 on the opening matchday of the group stages.
However, the Catalan club next succumbed to two back-to-back away defeats against Bayern Munich and Inter Milan. Their form in the competition needs drastic improvement for the next three games if the Spanish giants are to secure a spot in the knockout stages of the tournament.
While reflecting on the situation, here's what Xavi Hernandez had to say about the importance of his team's upcoming game:
"Tomorrow’s game is crucial, we haven’t done our homework and now we have a chance to pull ourselves together in the group. We’re in an uncomfortable situation but we’ll give it all.”
The 2010 FIFA World Cup winner further talked about his tactics for the game:
“We need to attack better. I think in the first half we didn’t understand the role of Marcos Alonso and Raphinha. We have to be more vertical, more aggressive.”
Speaking about his team's mindset for the next game, he said:
“Tomorrow we have to be calm, to know how to position ourselves, we don’t need to score in the first minute. I always tell the players that the pressure is on me. We have to be patient, but if we attack like we did in the second half in Milan, I’m optimistic.”
Barcelona's match against Inter will take place at the Camp Nou stadium on Wednesday, October 12.
Kiwdeikuz
0
De Jong will regret it,injures,on bench full time,starts to play for 50 minutes,comes off ,a lesson to him,never force anything in life
nenbcklmrz
0
it's like the opponents, structures your game before it starts. we need something new 🆕
nenbcklmrz
1
the problem is with the idea of starting the same players. give depay a chance to start this gave, bench ndembele and start raphina. kassie should start over gavi. deong over segio bench gaci
Titacltuz
1
just start him is more experienced than gavi
comdemnpy
1
wow
wiyacemsty
1
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phemoranking
1
xavi need Kessie and f.dejong ahead of intermin
misabcdenp
0
The mission statement for Barcelona coach is to build Spanish national team rather than seeing Barcelona winning..
huobcklyz
0
if you start gavi in the mind then we are not going to win. we need creativity in that area.
Messisuuuui
4
If You don't start De Jong or even Kessi against Inter....... I WILL SACK YOU Don't forget my boy Balde
Messisuuuui
2
Even if he is fit he won't start him cuz he is not from spain