“I find it very hard to believe” - Barcelona fans unhappy with Hansi Flick’s decision of not including 28-year-old star in line-up vs Osasuna

Barcelona fans have reacted to Frenkie de Jong's exclusion from the starting XI for their clash against Osasuna. The two sides will face off at Spotify Camp Nou in LaLiga on Saturday, December 13.

The Blaugrana sit atop the league standings, four points above arch-rivals Real Madrid. They have won their last four games across competitions and will look to continue the streak against 15th-placed Osasuna. Hansi Flick has released his starting XI for the clash.

Joan Garcia starts in goal behind the back four of Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, and Alejandro Balde. Eric Garcia, Pedri, and Raphinha form the midfield with Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, and Marcus Rashford as attackers. Frenkie de Jong starts on the bench for the fifth game in a row across competitions.

Some Barcelona fans are displeased with the Dutch midfielder's exclusion from the starting XI on X (formerly Twitter). One user wrote:

"That Pedri-Frenkie pivot was the foundation of everything we did just a few weeks ago. I find it very hard to believe that Flick’s abruptly moving away from it. Eric’s been great, and he should continue to start, but him and Frenkie can (and should) coexist imo."

Neal 🇦🇺

@NealGardner_

That Pedri-Frenkie pivot was the foundation of everything we did just a few weeks ago. I find it very hard to believe that Flick’s abruptly moving away from it. Eric’s been great, and he should continue to start, but him and Frenkie can (and should) coexist imo.

Here are some other reactions:

Fabiana

@Fabiana61109649

@FCBarcelona Why's de jong not starting again?

𝔪𝔦𝔫𝔧𝔰𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝔬𝔣 𝔰𝔦𝔫𝔤𝔩𝔢 𝔭𝔢𝔬𝔭𝔩𝔢.

@nkanyiis0

@FCBarcelona Eric in the midfielder? in my team he can't bench Frankie

Mohd shakib

@Mohdsha04022409

@FCBarcelona Less go we finally got to see the trio we'll be asking for and frenkie on the bench again i don't know what to say about it

Patches🖤

@iluvpatches4

@FCBarcelona Flick is starting his bs of Eric in mid field ,need De Jong back in the line up

🤹‍♂️

@dkmfcb

de Jong relegated to bench by Eric Garcia of all ppl

Lumdy®

@lumdys

This is the 6 straight game in a role Frenkie De Jong has been benched, No Injury, no Sickness, nothing

De Jong has made 17 appearances across competitions this season for Barcelona, providing two assists.

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Barcelona boss Hansi Flick on Frenkie de Jong's lack of playing time in recent games

Frenkie de Jong last started a game for Barcelona in their 3-0 defeat against Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League on November 25. He didn't feature against Deportivo Alaves and Atletico Madrid. He then played 27 and 24 minutes against Real Betis and Eintracht Frankfurt, respectively.

Ahead of the clash against Osasuna, Hansi Flick explained De Jong's absence, saying (h/t Barca Blaugranes):

"Frenkie de Jong was ill and missed two matches, which is why he didn’t play. He needs to recover, and it’s normal that he was out after what happened to him. For me, it’s important that we field our best 11 players to win the three points.

“At the moment we’ve seen Eric as a ‘6’ and he’s done well. Perhaps he needs to continue like that for now. It’s important that everyone recovers well. We’ll decide tomorrow. Eric can play as a ‘6’.”

De Jong has been a key player for Barcelona since arriving from Ajax in 2019. He has made 276 appearances for them, scoring 19 goals and providing 25 assists.