Leo Messi & Frenkie De Jong: Same 'problem,' different solutions
Both players are a booking from a ban with the Clasico coming up...
Ronald Koeman has the same problem with Lionel Messi and Frenkie de Jong: both of the Barcelona palyers are a booking away from a ban with the Clasico against Real Madrid around the corner.
While circumstances are identical, it's expected that the Dutch coach will act differently, given that De Jong's situation, cente-back in recent weeks, is less controllable than Messi's.
After the Real Sociedad game on Sunday, there's an international break. When the league resumes, Barça will welcome Real Valladolid at Camp Nou and then they visit Real Madrid at Valdebebas. Therefore, if neither Messi nor De Jong are booked in San Sebastian, they will go into the Valladolid match walking a Clasico tightrope.
Keeping in mind Barça's pursuit of Atletico at the top of the table, taking on Valladolid without Frenkie or Messi would be a big risk, given they're two of the key players in Koeman's team.
However, logic suggests that Messi could play against Valladolid but not De Jong -- be that out of obligation (booked vs. La Real) or a decision made by Koeman. Aside from the fact he's the captain and now protests more to the referee in that role, he manages situations on the pitch well and it wouldn't be the first time he played before a Clasico a yellow card away from suspension. Leo is not someone who typically loses his head, so a caution against Valladolid would be unlikely.
De Jong's case is different. Keeping in mind the minutes he's played this season and the fact he will be off with Holland this week -- Argentina have no games -- it's common sense to think the ex-Ajax midfielder could be booked against Real Sociedad. That way, he could rest against Valladolid pre-Clasico.
In that sense, it's also important to note that Gerard Pique could be available again after the international break and will need minutes, while Ronald Araujo is also back. That's where De Jong has been playing in recent games.
If he isn't booked against La Real, everything suggests he would rest against Valladolid, given that, unlike Messi, with his position on the pitch, it's harder to protect against a possible booking.
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