Even though FC Barcelona won their last two matches against Atletico Madrid and UD Las Palmas without Andreas Christensen, there is no denying that the Dane is a key player for Xavi Hernandez.
The 27-year-old has been a revelation playing in the defensive midfield role in the past couple of months, providing the Blaugrana with at least a temporary solution to a long-running problem.
But an Achilles tendon issue has kept him out for the last two matches against Atletico and Las Palmas.
Barcelona pampering Christensen ahead of PSG clash
Barcelona will not play again until 10 April against PSG in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final.
Until then, the medical services will look after Christensen with extra care, so that he is fully recovered, as his participation is very important for Xavi, reports SPORT.
Christensen has been struggling with these problems for most of the season. They became prominent in the warm-up for the match against Atletico and did not ease sufficiently during the international break for the Dane to be called up against Las Palmas.
Christensen has missed the last two games. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Christensen important in new role
As mentioned earlier, Christensen has performed well playing as the defensive pivot for Barcelona over the past couple of months.
With Christensen playing in front of the centre-backs, the team defends much better, especially the transitions of the opponents.
In addition, the ex-Chelsea man has grown in terms of his distribution and appears more willing to get forward as well.
Furthermore, with him as a defensive midfielder, Ilkay Gundogan can also play further forward, a position in which the German international is more dangerous.
As such, Barcelona are optimistic that Christensen will be 100 per cent fit to face PSG in the first leg of the quarter-final and will ‘pamper’ him over the next week to ensure that is the case.
Source link : https://barcauniversal.com/barcelona-will-be-extra-cautious-with-27-year-old-key-player-ahead-of-psg-clash/
Author : Michel Durant
Publish date : 2024-04-01 07:18:37
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