The impact of Bernal’s injury in midfield
As the closing of the market approaches, FC Barcelona is immersed in a critical situation. Marc Bernal’s recent injury against Rayo Vallecano has left the team with a worrying hole in midfield, forcing Hansi Flick to look for solutions with limited resources.
An unfortunate incident
Bad luck made an appearance in Vallecas, where Bernal suffered a serious injury at a crucial moment in the match. In a contact with Isi Palazón, he suffered a ligament rupture in his left knee, also affecting the meniscus. This situation could have been avoided had it not been for the arbitrary decision to extend the match with an additional 10 minutes, which favored an excessively hard style of play by Rayo.
The search for a suitable substitute
The loss of Bernal is particularly painful, as he was becoming the ideal successor to Sergio Busquets, a role that Barça have tried to fill for years. His ability to control the pace of the game and provide defensive solidity was central to Flick’s tactical system.
Doubts about Casadó
Flick now finds himself in the difficult situation of finding a replacement who can maintain balance in midfield. Although Casadó has had minutes in the subsidiary, the German coach does not seem completely convinced of his ability to face the pressure of such a vital role.
Frenkie de Jong: the risky choice
With Bernal’s situation, the possibility of Frenkie de Jong assuming this responsibility has been raised. However, his physical condition is a big question mark. Since his injury in April, De Jong has been on a constant ups and downs recovery, which has not been easy.
A complicated recovery process
After deciding not to have surgery in the hope of participating in the European Championship, De Jong ended up falling back and was unable to contribute to his selection. On his return to Barça, it became clear that his right ankle was not ready to face the demands of top-level football, which has further complicated his situation.
A key moment for the team
The condition of the area affected by De Jong’s injury remains delicate, and any blow could mean another relapse. Flick faces a difficult task: handle De Jong’s return with great caution, as forcing his recovery could result in dire consequences for the player and the team.
With time against them and without a natural pivot, Barça runs the risk of losing control of the midfield, a situation that could seriously affect their performance in the coming competitions.