Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong made a long-awaited comeback from injury during Tuesday night’s 5-0 Champions League win over Switzerland’s Young Boys.
De Jong appeared from the bench second half of the contest at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companysreplacing Lamine Yamal in the last stages of the game when Barça were already leading by 4-0.
The Dutch midfielder has spent almost all of the last seven months out with an ankle injury that began to affect him last September. After being withdrawn during Barca’s goalless draw with Athletic Club in March, De Jong had managed just 45 minutes of football since then, against Real Madrid in April.
He was still selected by Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman for Euro 2024, but was forced to withdraw from the squad a few days before the start of the tournament.
“I’m very happy with the win and personally to play again,” De Jong told reporters after the Young Boys thrashing, handing Barça their first Champions League win of the season.
BAD SEE, FRENKIEEEEEE!!! 😋 pic.twitter.com/yfdBTsF7t1
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 1, 2024
The 27-year-old, now in his sixth season with the Catalan giants, admitted he did not expect such a warm welcome from the fans when he entered the field.
“The fans gave me a good reception and I appreciate that because you never know how they’re going to be received. I didn’t expect it. I’m happy with the way they received me again.” De Jong he said
“The team is in good form and has been since the start of the season. We are playing well. We have to continue now, keep improving and see where it takes us.”
Hansi Flick has had to deal with a midfield crisis in the opening weeks of 2024/25, with De Jong and Gavi starting the season injured, Ilkay Gundogan leaving the club and a 17-year-old. Marc Bernal forced to undergo surgery in a long-term injury.
Andreas Christensen, who has moved into midfield from defense in the past, has also been unavailable.
“For Frenkie, it was a big step to get back into the team after suffering such a serious injury,” reflected Flick. “Playing some minutes was important for him. I would have liked to have used him earlier, but he came when he did, he’s come a long way, he got some touches, he ran a little bit, it was important that he feel like a football player again, and get that feeling back.”
