OMM Newsroom
Barcelona could face a squad concern ahead of its Champions League league-phase match against Sabah. According to Mundo Deportivo, the Catalan club’s 29-year-old midfielder Frenkie de Jong left the Netherlands camp early because of back discomfort.
De Jong started the UEFA Nations League match against Greece but was substituted at halftime. Before the match, he told head coach Xavi Hernández that he had a back problem. The Netherlands medical staff decided not to take any risks. De Jong will therefore miss the match against Germany on November 16 and return to Barcelona.
De Jong’s participation in doubt
The midfielder recently recovered from a knee injury sustained in the 2026 World Cup. The injury forced him to miss the start of the season, and he returned to the pitch only at the end of October.
According to the Spanish publication, De Jong is expected to play in the La Liga match against Villarreal on November 22, but the final decision will depend on his physical condition.
Sabah will host Barcelona at Baku Olympic Stadium on November 25. The Champions League league-phase match, part of the fifth round, will kick off at 21:45 Baku time. After four rounds, Sabah have three points and Barcelona have nine.
Context
On October 17, it was reported that Frenkie de Jong had recovered from his injury and had been included in Barcelona’s squad for the match against Betis.
