On Tuesday, a highly anticipated return took place as midfielder Frenkie de Jong stepped back onto the pitch for his team after a nearly five-month absence due to an ankle injury. De Jong replaced Lamine Yamal in the 75th minute of the team’s convincing 5-0 victory over Young Boys in the Champions League.
The Dutch midfielder’s lengthy layoff was marred by criticism from local media, who questioned the timeline of his recovery and his salary. However, De Jong expressed his gratitude towards the fans for their warm reception upon his return.
“I’m thrilled to be back playing and grateful for the fans’ support,” De Jong said after the game. “The team is in great form, and we need to maintain this momentum and continue improving.”
When asked about his role in the team, De Jong emphasized his willingness to play whenever and wherever he was needed. “It’s up to the coach to decide the lineup, and I’ll give my all regardless of the position,” he said.
In other news, forward Ansu Fati made his second appearance of the season, replacing Pedri in the 63rd minute. Fati had previously played a few minutes in the team’s match against Monaco last month.
Coach Hansi Flick explained the decision to introduce Fati, saying, “We needed a few more minutes to get Frenkie ready, so we brought in Ansu and then switched them later.” Flick praised De Jong’s progress, stating, “Today was an important step for Frenkie to come back to the team after such a serious injury. He’s come a long way and got some valuable touches and runs under his belt.”
The team’s dominant win was fueled by Robert Lewandowski’s two goals, along with scores from Raphinha, Iñigo Martínez, and an own-goal by Mohamed Camara. Coach Flick attributed the team’s current form to their improved defensive aggression, compact football, and ability to exploit spaces.
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