Frenkie de Jong’s return to form has coincided with Barcelona’s remarkable resurgence under Hansi Flick, as the Catalan giants prepare to host Borussia Dortmund in Wednesday’s Champions League quarterfinal first leg.
The Dutch midfielder has established a formidable partnership with Pedri Gonzalez at the heart of Barcelona’s engine room, creating a balance that has propelled the team to an impressive 22-match unbeaten run in 2025. This midfield tandem has been crucial in Barcelona’s pursuit of multiple trophies this season.
“Playing with a player like Pedri makes life easier,” De Jong recently acknowledged, while Flick praised the duo as “unbelievable, really brave with the ball” following their Copa del Rey semifinal victory over Atletico Madrid.
De Jong’s journey back to prominence hasn’t been straightforward. After suffering an injury in April 2024, he only returned to fitness in October and initially found himself behind youngster Marc Casado in the pecking order. “He must deal with this situation, he must regain his confidence,” Flick cautioned in November.
However, as Barcelona’s form dipped late last year, Flick reintegrated De Jong into the starting lineup with immediate positive results. The team has lost only once with De Jong on the field this season, highlighting his importance to their structure and style.
Since joining from Ajax in 2019 for €75 million, De Jong has struggled to find his ideal position. Initially touted as Sergio Busquets’ successor, he never quite settled into the deep-lying role that constrained his dynamic abilities. Under Flick’s more attack-minded approach, De Jong has flourished with greater freedom to influence play throughout the midfield.
Barcelona’s offensive transformation under Flick has been remarkable, with the team scoring four or more goals in 20 matches this season. This attacking mindset suits De Jong’s progressive passing and ability to join attacks from deep positions.
As Barcelona chase their first Champions League title since 2015, De Jong’s renaissance could prove decisive in their quest to return to European football’s summit.
