“Flick wants to lose huh?”

Fans reacted to midfielder Frenkie de Jong’s absence in Barcelona’s starting XI against Real Mallorca in their La Liga clash on Saturday (February 7). The 28-year-old has started 14 of 17 league games this season.

De Jong has started the last five La Liga matches for the Blaugrana, providing two assists, with Hansi Flick’s side winning four times. Overall, he has contributed seven assists in 28 outings across competitions, with four of them coming in La Liga, where the Blaugrana are leading the standings, a point ahead of Real Madrid.

However, Flick didn’t include De Jong to start against Mallorca, opting for Marc Cassado and Dani Olmo as a double pivot, which hasn’t gone down well with fans.

“No De Jong? Casado and Olmo as double pivot? Flick wants to lose, huh?,” one tweeted.

“De Jong?,” wondered another.

“Flick, why is FDJ not playing? We need this win more than anything,” commented one.

“Hansi Flick should wrap that Kounde RB gimmick…. And why is De Jong on the bench ?? I don’t like this at all,” wrote another.

“Frenkie De Jong starts from the bench. Why do I feel like Hansi Flick is underestimating Mallorca???,” posted one.

The Blaugrana have won their last two league outings – and 11 of their last 12 – as they seek a successful title defence.

What happened the last time Barcelona hosted Mallorca in La Liga?

Barcelona will have happy memories when Real Mallorca last visited them in La Liga. Last season, in a league clash in April, Hansi Flick’s side emerged successful by a solitary goal.

Dani Olmo scored the game’s only goal a minute into the second period as the Blaugrana completed a league double over Mallorca. Earlier in the season, they had won 5-1 away, with Raphinha starring with a second-half brace, while Frenkie de Jong was one of three other Blaugrana scorers on the night.

Hansi Flick’s side would go on to win their 28th top-flight title and completed their first domestic treble, having also won the Supercopa Espana and the Copa del Rey, going 4-0 against arch-rivals Real Madrid, including a league double.