Barcelona-Celta Vigo fixture set for 5 December amid packed schedule

La Liga has confirmed that Barcelona will host Celta Vigo on Saturday, 5 December, with the fixture arranged around the club’s demanding domestic and European schedule.

The match will kick off at 21:00 Central European Time at Camp Nou. Barcelona lead La Liga by three points from Real Madrid and five from Atletico Madrid.

According to Mundo Deportivo, 5 December was the only available date for the meeting because Barcelona face Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, 2 December, before hosting Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday, 8 December.

There are also tight turnarounds for Barcelona’s closest rivals. Real Madrid will visit Athletic Bilbao at San Mames on Sunday, 6 December, after playing Real Sociedad at Anoeta on Wednesday, 2 December. They then travel to face Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday, 9 December.

Atletico Madrid host Real Betis at Wanda Metropolitano on 6 December before Diego Simeone’s side travel to play Stuttgart on 9 December. On the same day, Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis face Como, who include Cesc Fabregas, at La Cartuja.

Barcelona face injury concerns

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

One issue involves Frenkie de Jong, who had only recently returned from a lengthy absence after suffering a knee injury during the World Cup. The Netherlands midfielder was forced to leave his national team’s training camp.

Netherlands manager Xavi Hernandez initially referred only to back pain after the team’s victory over Greece. However, the Dutch Football Association later announced that De Jong would not travel to Berlin for Monday’s match against Germany. AS reported that the player was in fact suffering from a thigh problem.

Barcelona are waiting for further clarity. Sport says De Jong will undergo a medical examination on Monday with the club’s medical staff, who will decide whether additional tests are required.

He will definitely be rested this week and is considered highly unlikely to play against Villarreal at Camp Nou. The affected area is regarded as particularly sensitive, while the midfielder has only just returned from injury, leaving Barcelona determined not to take risks.

Raphinha remains with Brazil

Barcelona are also unhappy with the decision to keep Raphinha with the Brazil squad.

The forward was sent off during Brazil’s 3-2 defeat by Japan alongside Carlo Ancelotti after strongly protesting Japan’s late goal. His dismissal means he is automatically suspended for Brazil’s second friendly against Singapore on Tuesday.

Barcelona had hoped he would return early and prepare for the restart with his club, but the Brazilian Football Association decided he would remain with the national team.

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