Barcelona’s De Jong Exits Late, Casado Seizes Opportunity Against Atlético

MADRID, Spain — In a surprising pre-match turn, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick announced that Frenkie de Jong would not start against Atlético Madrid due to health concerns, as the teams clashed in a pivotal La Liga encounter on March 16, 2025.

Initially set to anchor the midfield, De Jong felt discomfort and was ultimately ruled out of the match entirely, making way for Marc Casado to take his place in the lineup. “We’ve prepared well for the match tonight. The only frustrating part is that Frenkie was supposed to start, but he felt some discomfort, so we had to make a change,” Flick told reporters. “We have no excuses; that’s been the message from the start of the season.”

Reports from RAC1 indicated that De Jong’s absence was due to a stomach problem rather than a serious injury. This development leaves Barcelona without one of their key midfielders, which could significantly impact their performance. Casado, who has seen limited playing time as De Jong regained form, hopes to capitalize on this opportunity.

Flick praised Casado’s readiness, stating, “I expect a great match from Casado.” This match marks Casado’s second start against Atlético this season; the first ended in a disappointing 2-1 loss for Barcelona in December.

The stage was set for a thrilling contest at the Estadio Metropolitano, as both teams vie for critical points in the title race. Barcelona entered the match second in the standings, just three points behind Real Madrid, and holding two games in hand. Meanwhile, Atlético Madrid sat a point behind in third place.

Atlético emerged from a challenging midweek defeat but sought to maintain their momentum against Barcelona, whom they have previously faced in a highly competitive series. Flick commented on the importance of this match, noting, “If we win today, we’ll get three big points. It’s an important day.”

Reflecting on previous meetings, the pressure was palpable as both sides have adopted aggressive tactics, challenging each other’s defensive structures. With players eager to assert their dominance, this weekend’s clash held significant implications for the La Liga title chase.

The opening whistle echoed at 9 p.m. local time, setting the stage for a match met with anticipation from fans and analysts alike, all eager to see how Casado and his teammates would respond to the challenge presented by Atlético Madrid.

This matchup is not just about points; it’s a battle of wills and a test of resilience for both teams. As Flick and Simeone prepared their squads, one question lingered: could young talent like Casado rise to the occasion in such a high-stakes game?