Crime, punishment... and forgiveness?

When Hansi Flick saw Frenkie de Jong with his knee bandaged and pushing his physical limits with the Netherlands, an irrational burning sensation rose in his stomach. Sacrificing himself to excess was not part of his repertoire. Gifted in footballing terms, but with a questionable level of commitment, he arrived at the World Cup after not playing in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals against Atlético de Madrid because he did not feel 100% ready to reappear after weeks out. These contrasts, added to the fact that he took time to see Barça's doctors after the elimination of the Oranje, were the crime that caused him to lose the captaincy and their trust. Furthermore, the arrival of Rodri and the bet on Marc Bernal complicated his existence in an ecosystem where there are those who would want to sell him. A small plot twist: now Flick needs him.

De Jong's redemption is a path filled with complex tests, like an epic in which the punished hero must overcome all kinds of obstacles. Christopher Nolan eats popcorn while watching this very elegant midfielder mess up his hair, stepping out of his comfort zone to prove that he is deserving of forgiveness from the coach and the most critical 'culers'. He is at a point where, if Flick asks him to play as a goalkeeper, he will do it. Since his breakthrough in the 'Clásico', where he improved the collective game starting from the attacking midfield, he has also played as a center-back and a right-back with a very high grade. He needed to accumulate 140 minutes (!) to be able to return to play in his natural position in the final stretch of the match at the Metropolitano. And here comes the most interesting part: the one who most appreciated finding him close by was Pedri, who felt extremely comfortable unfolding his virtues in a recital that we had not seen from him alongside Rodri.

The gods are capricious and have willed that De Jong's return coincides with an ill-timed injury to Rodri just when Flick is insistently seeking stability. And against Atlético de Madrid, he found it. It was not in the 'Clásico' with a "fresh" Rodri, no: it was with a De Jong who has dangerously seen the ears of the wolf. If his knee does not bother him during this international break, the Dutchman will have three matches before the Barça - Atlético de Madrid game on December 2nd to continue convincing the coach. It is in his hands to challenge Rodri for the spot in the so-called big games, in a season where the main objective is the Champions League. Seven years of disappointments later, De Jong wants final absolution and puts a major dilemma on a silver platter for Flick.