Barcelona's Champions League hopes are on the line this Tuesday in a monumental second-leg clash against Atletico Madrid. Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, the Blaugrana face a steep challenge at the Metropolitano, but history offers a glimmer of hope: they've already beaten Atletico three times this season.

A major boost for the comeback bid is the return of captain Frenkie de Jong. The Dutch midfielder, sidelined for over a month with a hamstring injury, made a promising return off the bench in the weekend derby win over Espanyol, even providing a late assist.

Now, manager Hansi Flick faces a crucial tactical decision. According to reports, he will consult with both De Jong and the medical staff to assess if the 28-year-old is ready to start such a high-stakes, physically demanding match. The key question isn't just about fitness, but about how many minutes he can effectively handle—whether it's 45, 60, or more.

For Flick, the calculation is clear. If medically cleared, De Jong's presence alongside Pedri in the starting lineup significantly elevates Barcelona's midfield control and their chances of orchestrating a famous European turnaround. All eyes will be on that final fitness assessment before the teamsheet is decided.