Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has admitted he had to make a late change to his XI for [Sunday’s match against Atletico Madrid](https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2025/3/16/24385656/atletico-madrid-barcelona-live-stream-lineups-kickoff-time-tv-channel-how-to-watch-la-liga-online).
The German was all set to start Frenkie de Jong in midfield against Diego Simeone’s side but has opted for Marc Casado instead.
Here’s what Flick said ahead of kick-off in the Spanish capital.
> “We’ve prepared well for the match tonight. The only frustrating part is that Frenkie was supposed to start, but he felt some discomfort, so we had to make a change. He’s not even on the bench,” he told the media.
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> “We have no excuses, that’s been the message from the start of the season. Of course, I appreciate the players’ mentality in this type of match.
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> “The coaches, physios, etc. have done a great job; it’s a long road to the end of the season.
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> “If we win today, we’ll get three big points. It’s an important day.”
According to RAC1, De Jong misses out due to a stomach problem and not because of an injury.
In the meantime, Casado will hope to impress after being reduced to something of a bench role recently due to De Jong’s return to form and fitness.