FC Barcelona Injury Update: Andreas Christensen latest details, recovery timeline

FC Barcelona are dominating this season after a long, under their new head coach Hansi Flick. Their lethal attack is making every other team trample, but it is their shaky defense that is causing hiccups. Now, adding more problems to the already disturbed defense line, their star centre-back Andreas Christensen, who has remained injured for some time now, will take more time to recover and might remain sidelined for another couple of months, as per Catalunya Radio.

This will mean that the team will have more problems in the defense while facing the La Liga and UEFA Champions League stalwarts, an issue we will discuss later in this article.

Andreas Christensen Injury Update

Christensen was ruled out from playing from August 18, 2024 after being ruled out of the 2024-25 La Liga game against Valencia CF for his Achilles problems, and he has remained out since then. Initially, he took the traditional approach, but with no satisfactory results, he opted for surgery, getting “Operated on the tendons of both his feet — he is expected to be back by the end of January”. The defender has been suffering from tendinopathy in his left foot since 2022.

Impact of Andreas Christensen Injury on FC Barcelona’s Squad and Strategy

The Spanish giants have been missing their two prime defenders Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen since the start of the season, due to the injuries they suffered. While Araujo’s return to action is still unknown, Christensen as mentioned earlier is expected to play from the end of January. 

FC Barcelona have faced a major blow for this defensive jolt. The side currently tops La Liga for their lethal attacking options, but defensive errors have cost them too many goals to concede. They have faced 12 goals in 13 games so far, which stands to be the sixth-best defensive record in the league, something way less for a side that stands as the best. 

Barca have been over-reliant on the off-side trap, and VAR to help them face goals. The trap has worked so far, but when it fails, it distorts their defense. Something that was evident in the game against AS Monaco is the UEFA Champions League.

Possible Replacements and Tactical Adjustments

Flick has to use the off-side trap in every game as none of the fit defenders, who are mainly youngsters, are efficient with the tackles and pace. Only the induction of experienced defenders like Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen shall solve this issue of tackles in the back line. Till then, they have to use the trap with Pau Cubarsi (17-year-old), and Inigo Martinez (33-year-old) at the back.

So far the new defensive pair has been bright, and best in implementing Flick’s off-side traps, causing no change in the shape of the defense, but it has surely made the side avoid direct clashes with the other team’s attack. This has helped them avoid injuries, but with such a thin line to protect the fence, their defense would get trampled on any given day, so they must adjust to traditional tackling.

Also, there were heavy speculations that Barca are trying to sell Christensen and lure in Lille forward Jonathan David, given Christensen’s contract would expire in June 2026, but a winter transfer now looks unlikely, especially after his surgery.

Andreas Christensen Return date

While the exact return date is still unknown, as he was earlier speculated to return this December, recent reports claim that after his surgery he would be fit to play from the last week of January. While NogoMania even speculates that he can be expected only in February.

Also Read: FC Barcelona 2024 summer transfer window analysis, predicted line-up for 2024-25

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