FC Barcelona have not had the best season this time around when it comes to injuries. The Catalan giants are always aware of the possibility of their stars being sidelined, but this season has still been unorthodox. Several key Barcelona figures have already lost themselves to the sidelines already.
Before the season even started, Barcelona recruited with the possibility of injuries in the back of their head. Aware of the consequences of a depleted squad, Barça made sure to ensure reinforcements came in. That is why despite already having multiple central defenders, even Inigo Martinez was brought in.
However, rather ironically, Martinez is currently sidelined himself. He is also joined by Marcos Alonso, Joao Cancelo, and now Andreas Christensen as the latest addition. In the case of the Dane, however, this is becoming a rather worrying occurrence.
As highlighted by SPORT, Christensen seems to have a knack for not being able to complete games from time to time. This season already, he has started four games that he has been unable to play in for longer than the half-time mark.
The first incident came in the opening game of the La Liga season for Barcelona. Taking on Getafe, the Danish defender had to be taken off to inject some attacking threat. He was replaced by Abde, who was yet to leave for Real Betis, before the second half commenced.
Then, not too long after, the same thing occurred against Villarreal. He was already replaced by Eric Garcia, who was still with Barça at that point, before the second half even started. This was apparently done because the Dane had some physical discomfort.
The third occurrence had a more tactical reasoning behind it. Against Almeria in a game that ended 3-2 in favor of Barcelona, Christensen was replaced at halftime due to the risk of a suspension. He was already on a yellow card, so Xavi chose to go with the safe option and bring him off.
Then comes the latest such occurrence, and that took place against Unionistas. After a rather harmless-looking collision, Christensen could be seen trying to shake off some discomfort. By the second half, he had already been replaced by Pau Cubarsi.
Now, in the aftermath of that injury, he misses the game against Real Betis. However, injuries were also the only hurdle for him last season as well. In terms of consistency, he has been one of Xavi’s best soldiers both last season and in the ongoing one.
