Barcelona’s defender Andreas Christensen will not participate in international duty with Denmark during the upcoming break, opting instead to focus on recovery in Catalonia.
The decision comes after the 27-year-old was sidelined due to injury from Barcelona’s recent victory over Atletico Madrid on Sunday night.
Christensen, who has recently been deployed in midfield, has played a crucial role in Barcelona’s defensive solidity, contributing to a remarkable 400-minute streak without conceding domestically.
However, discomfort in his Achilles tendon during the warm-up at the Metropolitano prompted Xavi Hernandez to err on the side of caution and exclude him from the match.
Reports suggest that Christensen is not dealing with a specific injury but rather tendonitis, which has plagued him since the beginning of the season, casting doubts on his fitness.
With Denmark scheduled to play friendlies against Switzerland and the Faroe Islands, manager Kasper Hjulmand has opted not to call upon Christensen, allowing him to recuperate in Barcelona from what is described as a ‘minor injury’. Jacob Rasmussen of Brondby has been drafted in as his replacement.
Speaking to the press following the match, Xavi explained, “He doesn’t have a definitive injury.
As a former player, I’ve experienced this too. He is suffering from Achilles tendonitis, which causes prolonged pain. He informed us before the match that he wouldn’t be able to play.”
It is anticipated that Christensen will be available for Barcelona’s upcoming fixture against Las Palmas in two weeks’ time at Montjuic.
However, his fitness remains a concern heading into the Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain in mid-April.
While Barcelona expects to welcome back Frenkie de Jong by then, none of their other midfield options are ideally suited to playing as the deepest midfielder, with Oriol Romeu being the exception. Nonetheless, Xavi has shown reluctance to rely on Romeu in recent matches.
Christensen’s absence underscores the importance of maintaining squad depth and managing player fitness effectively, especially during crucial phases of the season.
Barcelona will be keen to ensure his full recovery ahead of pivotal fixtures, as they continue to compete on multiple fronts under Xavi’s leadership.
