Barcelona versatile star could gain prominence in final phase of season after Marc Casado injury | OneFootball

Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen has endured a frustrating season so far, struggling with persistent injury setbacks that have kept him on the sidelines for most of the campaign.

However, recent developments from SPORT suggest that he could play a more significant role as the season reaches its final stages.

The Danish centre-back has barely featured for Barcelona this term, accumulating just 26 minutes of playing time. His troubles began with an Achilles tendon injury, which required surgery.

Just as he was recovering from that setback, he suffered another injury, this time to the soleus muscle in his right leg. Unfortunately, his attempts to return to full fitness were hampered by a relapse, delaying his comeback further.

There is hope afterall

Despite these setbacks, reports indicate that Christensen’s return could be on the horizon. If everything goes as planned, he might be available for selection when Barcelona take on Girona at home.

However, a more realistic timeline suggests that he will only be fully match-fit by early April, in time for Barcelona’s clash against Real Betis.

Andreas Christensen has hardly played this season. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA/AFP via Getty Images)

With manager Hansi Flick currently facing squad rotation issues due to injuries, Christensen’s return could come at a crucial moment.

Marc Casado’s recent injury has forced Flick to rethink his midfield options. One possibility is deploying Eric Garcia in a midfield role, which would open up opportunities for Christensen in lower-intensity matches as he regains full fitness.

A versatile option to have

Interestingly, Christensen is not limited to just a centre-back role. Under Xavi’s management last season, he was occasionally used as a pivot in midfield, particularly when Frenkie de Jong was unavailable.

This tactical flexibility could offer Flick additional options as he looks to manage the workload of his defenders.

As the season enters its final stretch, Christensen could gradually reintegrate into the squad, potentially benefiting from rotational decisions if Flick opts to rest his main centre-backs.

If Eric Garcia shifts into midfield, it could free up crucial minutes for the Danish international, allowing him to find rhythm and contribute when it matters most.