Barcelona head into a busy January schedule following their Spanish Super Cup final victory over Real Madrid, with fixtures piling up in La Liga, Copa del Rey, and European competitions.
Squad rotation will be key, especially with young talents being gradually integrated into Hansi Flick’s first-team plans.
Fitness and suspension management are also crucial as the club balances domestic and European commitments.
Any setbacks now could have a knock-on effect on their season objectives, particularly with tight margins in both La Liga and cup competitions.
The latest blow comes in the form of Frenkie de Jong’s red card in the Super Cup final, which carries an automatic suspension under Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) rules.
Unlike friendly matches or non-federation competitions, cards shown in official tournaments like the Super Cup are binding across all competitions governed by the RFEF.
This means that De Jong’s suspension will be served in Barcelona’s next official fixture, irrespective of whether it is in La Liga, Copa del Rey, or another RFEF competition.
In practical terms, the 26-year-old midfielder will miss Barcelona’s Copa del Rey Round of 16 tie against Racing Santander on January 15.
The straight red card is expected to result in a one-match ban, unless the referee’s report highlights aggravating circumstances, which could extend the suspension.
For now, all indications suggest the sanction will remain at the minimum level.
This suspension comes at a tricky time for Barcelona, who will be looking to manage squad rotation and maintain their momentum.
Frenkie de Jong has been a key figure for Hansi Flick, and his absence will be felt in midfield, requiring adjustments from the coach.
While he will be available for the next La Liga game after the cup tie, the Racing fixture represents a significant challenge for the squad to overcome without one of their most influential players.
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