FC Barcelona made a late comeback after being 2-0 down against Celta Vigo on Saturday (September 23) and scored three goals in the last 10 minutes to record an important win at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
A brace from experienced striker Robert Lewandowski and an 89th-minute winner from loan-signing Joao Cancelo helped the Catalan club gain three points and go to the top of the table after Atletico Madrid thrashed Real Madrid 3-1 at the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday night.
However, Barca’s win came at the cost of their starting midfielder Frankie de Jong who picked up a knock and was forced to be substituted in the 36th as he was replaced by Gavi.
Right after the match, it was reported that the 26-year-old footballer would be out for more than a month. Barcelona released a medical update on the player’s injury but refused to give any timeline for his return.
“Tests carried out on the first team player Frenkie de Jong show that he has an injury to the tibiofibular syndesmosis in his right ankle. He is unavailable for selection and his recovery will dictate his return," the club stated in a brief statement.
However, as per the Spanish news outlet AS’s Javi Miguel, the Dutch midfielder may return as early as November 7 when the Blaugrana will take on Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) match.
This means that the 26-year-old will miss six weeks of action, missing two UCL fixtures along with crucial La Liga matches against Sevilla and the much-anticipated El Clasico against Real Madrid.
De Jong’s absence may hurt Barca as they are already without one of their key player, Pedri, who has been sidelined for a month following a thigh injury.
Even though the Spanish international has recovered to an extent, head coach Xavi Hernandez has no intention to rush the 20-year-old and wants him to be at his 100% for the Clasico.
