Ronald Koeman issues Frenkie de Jong update after Barcelona star misses Atletico win
Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman offered a fresh update on Frenkie de Jong after the midfielder missed Barcelona’s win over Atletico.
Hansi Flick admitted that De Jong was set to start the game but pulled out because he wasn’t feeling great.
The midfielder is now due to link up with the Netherlands for Nations League games against Spain, and Koeman says it’s just a sickness issue rather than an injury.
“Frenkie got sick just before the match against Atlético Madrid. We gave him time to fly back from Madrid to Barcelona, so he could recover. He didn’t feel well,” he told a press conference.
“Was I shocked? Not at all, because you know it can happen. The Barcelona coach said it wasn’t an injury, but an illness. So it’s something different than an injury.”
De Jong’s injury meant that Marc Casado played instead and unfortunately picked up a knee problem that could keep him out for the season.
Meanwhile, De Jong is still expected to link up with the Netherlands and feature in the two quarter-finals ties with La Roja.
