Barcelona are gearing up for their final home game of the season at Camp Nou this Sunday, facing Real Betis in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. However, two key players—Frenkie de Jong and Marcus Rashford—missed Saturday's training session, casting doubt over their availability.
Head coach Hansi Flick addressed the situation in a press conference, confirming that De Jong will not feature against Betis. "The team that plays tomorrow will be different from the one that faced Alavés," Flick explained. "De Jong is out of the squad; he's not feeling well. That's for sure, it's decided." While the coach didn't specify an injury, reports suggest the Dutch midfielder is dealing with an illness that also kept him sidelined midweek.
On a brighter note, Flick expressed optimism about Marcus Rashford's chances of playing. "With Rashford, we have to wait, but I'm confident he'll be with us," he said. The English forward's potential return would be a significant boost for Barcelona's attacking options in the season's final home fixture.
There's also encouraging news regarding Andreas Christensen. The Danish defender made his return to the squad in midweek and is now in line for some game time. "The plan is to give him some playing time tomorrow," Flick confirmed. "We wanted him to play against Alavés but changed our minds. This time, I think it will be possible."
With the World Cup on the horizon, Barcelona are taking no risks with their squad's fitness. De Jong's absence is precautionary, while Rashford's status remains a game-time decision. For fans heading to Camp Nou, the focus will be on how Flick reshuffles his lineup to secure a strong finish on home soil.
