Barcelona lost the season’s opening El Clásico 2‑1 to Real Madrid at Camp Nou. The defeat was followed by a moment of relief for the Catalan club, as star midfielder Frenkie de Jong returned to the pitch after a 155‑day absence. De Jong was introduced as a substitute for Fermín López in the 74th minute, with coach Xavi Hernández deploying him on the right side of midfield beside Pedri. The fans greeted the Dutchman with a warm reception. At the time of his arrival the score was 1‑1, after Raphinha had equalised for Barcelona. Real’s Kylian Mbappé had opened the scoring in the 41st minute, and he added a second goal in the 87th minute from a counter‑attack, securing the win for Madrid and taking all three points. De Jong’s return did not alter the outcome of the match. The midfielder had been sidelined since a medial collateral ligament injury to his right knee on 23 July. He has since recovered enough to represent the Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup, a decision that drew criticism from some Barcelona supporters. De Jong has acknowledged the fans’ concerns. According to Spanish outlet Sport, his comeback is a welcome boost for Barcelona and for Xavi, as it expands the squad’s options in midfield. De Jong’s priority now is to regain full fitness and match rhythm, with the aim of contributing significantly for the remainder of the season.
Article source: Ajker Patrika | Image credit: Ajker Patrika