de Jong was substituted at halftime of Friday's 7-0 Nations League victory against Greece after experiencing back discomfort, although he could return against Germany on Monday, according to Netherlands coach Xavi, per Barca Universal. "He had discomfort in his back. He told me he couldn't continue playing. Even before the game, he already had some problems. I think he can play against Germany on Monday."
Analysis:de Jong entered Friday's encounter already dealing with back discomfort and was unable to continue beyond halftime, prompting the Dutch coaching staff to replace him as a precaution. The setback comes as the Barcelona midfielder continues rebuilding his match fitness following a lengthy absence due to a knee injury, having recently featured in four consecutive club matches across all competitions. Coach Xavi's optimism regarding Monday's clash against Germany suggests the issue may not be particularly serious, although de Jong's availability will depend on how his back responds over the coming days. Having only recently returned to Barcelona's rotation, the midfielder could have his workload carefully managed to avoid another interruption to his recovery.
