Barcelona heavyweight pushing for a starting spot against Atletico Madrid

Barcelona heavyweight pushing for a starting spot against Atletico Madrid According to SPORT , Barcelona midfield superstar Frenkie de Jong is pushing for a starting role as they prepare for a crucial La Liga encounter against Atletico Madrid this weekend. Having returned to action less than two weeks ago, the Dutchman believes he is ready to start, and Rodri’s injury has opened the doors for him to stake a claim for the starting berth. An opening for De Jong As confirmed earlier today , Rodri has been ruled out for a period of around one month after suffering a hamstring injury against Aston Villa on Tuesday night. The 30-year-old summer signing has been one of Hansi Flick’s most-used players in midfield this season, along with the likes of Pedri and Fermin Lopez. So far this term, Rodri has started ten of Barcelona’s 15 matches in all competitions. And his absence now creates a vacancy in the midfield unit. De Jong is keen to start games. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) Marc Bernal, who has been Flick’s preferred option to replace Rodri in the team, appears to be the best-placed candidate to take over the responsibility. However, De Jong has thrown his hat in the ring for a starting berth for this weekend’s fixture. De Jong pushes for Barcelona starting role after injury return De Jong made his comeback against Real Madrid in late October after spending three months on the sidelines with a knee injury sustained during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Since returning, the midfielder has gradually rebuilt his match fitness and worked his way back into Flick’s plans. He has featured in three matches, albeit not in his preferred deeper midfield role. Indeed, the Dutchman played 82 minutes as a centre-back against Alaves while he featured as a more advanced midfielder against both Real Madrid and Aston Villa. Will De Jong replace Rodri against Atletico Madrid? (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) While he has yet to play in the holding midfield role this season, De Jong made it clear after the Villa match that he was fit and ready to start against Atletico Madrid. “I’m feeling great, really strong, raring to go and very motivated. What’s done is done,”  he said . “I’d like to start matches from the off, but we have to bear in mind that I’ve been out for a long time and that’s up to the coaching staff.” It will now be up to Flick to decide whether he continues to back Bernal to replace Rodri against Atletico Madrid or opts to reinstate De Jong into his natural habitat in midfield two weeks after his return from injury.