Barcelona’s Celta Vigo fixture set for 5 December amid crowded schedule

La Liga has confirmed that Barcelona will host Celta Vigo on Saturday, 5 December at 21:00 CET, with the fixture placed between the club’s matches against Atletico Madrid and Manchester City.

Barcelona, who lead La Liga by three points from Real Madrid and five from Atletico Madrid, will welcome Celta Vigo to Camp Nou in a demanding period of the season.

According to Mundo Deportivo, 5 December was the only feasible date for the match. Barcelona face Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, 2 December, before hosting Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday, 8 December, leaving little room in the schedule.

The other leading clubs will also face a tight sequence of fixtures.

Athletic Bilbao host Real Madrid at San Mames on Sunday, 6 December. Real Madrid will have played Real Sociedad at Anoeta on Wednesday, 2 December, and will then travel to face Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday, 9 December.

Atletico Madrid entertain Real Betis at Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday, 6 December, before Diego Simeone’s side travel to play Stuttgart on Wednesday, 9 December.

On the same day, Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis face Como, who have Cesc Fabregas in their squad, at La Cartuja in the Champions League.

Barcelona concerned by international break

The current international break has brought fresh concerns for Barcelona, after manager Hansi Flick had hoped to use the period to rest key players before a congested end to the year.

According to Foot Mercato, one of the problems involves Frenkie de Jong, who has only recently returned from a lengthy absence after suffering a knee injury during the World Cup. The Netherlands midfielder was forced to leave the national team camp.

Netherlands manager Xavi Hernandez initially referred only to back pain after the victory over Greece, but the Dutch football association later confirmed that De Jong would not travel to Berlin for Monday’s match against Germany. AS reported that the player was actually suffering from a thigh problem.

Sport says De Jong will undergo a medical examination on Monday by Barcelona’s medical staff, who will decide whether further tests are required.

One thing is already clear: the Dutchman will be rested this week and is considered highly unlikely to feature against Villarreal at Camp Nou.

Barcelona are taking particular care because the injury affects a sensitive area and De Jong has only just returned from his previous problem. Flick does not want to take risks with the former Ajax midfielder.

The club are also unhappy with the situation involving Raphinha. The Barcelona forward was sent off during Brazil’s 3-2 defeat by Japan alongside Carlo Ancelotti after strongly protesting Japan’s late goal.

That dismissal means Raphinha is automatically suspended for Brazil’s second friendly against Singapore on Tuesday. Barcelona had hoped he would return early to prepare for the resumption of club football, but the Brazilian Football Association decided that he should remain with the squad.

“Raphinha will stay. In principle, he will remain with us… his departure would not make sense; he is one of our leaders,” said Rodrigo Caetano, general executive coordinator of Brazil’s men’s national teams.