This archive report was first published on 11 June 2020.
La Liga's title race is set to reach its climax, with Barcelona top of the table, two points ahead of Real Madrid, and Frenkie de Jong is relishing the return of competition.
De Jong, who joined Barcelona from Ajax in a Sh8.5 billion ($85m) move last year, has been a key player for the Catalan giants, with 23 starts out of 27 in the league before the suspension.
Despite an interrupted season, De Jong is confident that Barcelona will be a better team than the one seen before the suspension, with new coach Quique Setien at the helm.
"I think we have already progressed since the new coach came in. You saw the team was already growing and I think we will be a better team than the one you saw before the suspension," De Jong said.
Barcelona's chances of winning the title have been boosted by the return of Luis Suarez from a knee injury, and De Jong believes that Suarez's contribution will be crucial in the remaining 11 games.
"Under-appreciated, yes, I think so. If you look at his statistics, he is maybe the best number nine there is," De Jong said of Suarez.
De Jong also believes that the absence of fans in the stadiums will be an advantage for Barcelona, with a strong bench and a good balance of quality and youth.
"I think it will be an advantage for us. We have a strong bench so we will not be losing as much quality as other teams," De Jong said.
