Disappointing: The big target of the defeat against Real Sociedad

After 7 months on the sidelines, Frenkie de Jong was back in the starting line-up for FC Barcelona last Wednesday against Red Star in Belgrade. The player's performance left much to be desired and he was replaced with 20 minutes to go in the match. However, Hansi Flick gave him a second chance from the start this Sunday at Anoeta, and he disappointed again.

The Dutchman came onto the pitch at the Reale Arena with the captain's armband on his arm and, although at first he looked active and with the intention of being a protagonist, he quickly faded away and his weight in the match decreased to a minimum. The '21' was overwhelmed by Real Sociedad's counterattacks and barely participated in the construction of the game, being a 'burden' for the team.

The defence was punished for its lack of forcefulness in midfield, also offering little clarity to the team from the back in its search for the equaliser after Becker's goal. The Gorcum native became a ghost on the pitch.

Frenkie left the match at half-time

As if that wasn't enough, Frenkie suffered a major setback in the 25th minute, when he took a knock in the fight for the ball and felt some initial discomfort in his leg. The midfielder remained on the pitch, but in the final stretch of the first period, around the 39th minute, he suffered again, this time in his ankle.

De Jong had to be replaced at half-time by Dani Olmo and, according to 'SPORT', he was seriously injured in the locker room, crying at the possibility of suffering a new injury. At the end of the match, the footballer was seen limping, thus crowning a night to forget and pending medical tests that will determine the extent of the physical problem that diminished his performance in San Sebastian.