How will Koeman manage Messi & De Jong risk ahead of the Clasico?
The Barcelona boss made it clear they will both start against La Real on four bookings
Barcelona are at risk of losing two key players to suspension with the Clasico coming up, with both Frenkie de Jong and Lionel Messi on four bookings.
If De Jong or Messi are booked, therefore, they will miss the next game with a number of important fixtures coming up for Ronald Koeman's side.
Logic suggests it would be ideal if they picked up a fifth booking of the season this weekend against Real Sociedad, which would mean missing the Real Valladolid game on April 5 after the international break.
With that game at Camp Nou, in theory it would be a good game for De Jong and/or Messi to miss as the next game is the Clasico against Real Madrid on April 10.
Asked about the situation, Koeman said: "It is what it is, I am not going to reserve anyone. I hope they don't get booked and can keep on playing.
"They're two important players and if they can't play at any point then we will have to look for alternatives."
Therefore, Koeman made it clear that he's not considering giving either a break in San Sebastian, but we will see what happens moving forward.
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