Hansi Flick will recover two key players for Barcelona’s upcoming match against Elche at Montjuic – Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo.
Both are crucial to the team’s attacking setup, especially given the ongoing injury problems in that area. After all, Raphinha has suffered a relapse, and Lamine Yamal is not 100% fit, as he deals with his pubalgia issue.
No Andreas Christensen
However, according to AS, defender Andreas Christensen has not recovered in time and will not be available for Barcelona against Elche.
The Danish central defender, who missed the match against Olympiacos due to a stomach issue, later developed soleus problems that also kept him out of El Clasico.
Andreas Christensen of FC Barcelona
Out again. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
A week on, Christensen has still not trained with the group, and his absence on Sunday is now certain.
The 29-year-old centre-back has played only nine times across all competitions this season, with only three of those coming from the start.
Christensen is behind Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, and Ronald Araujo in the pecking order. And, his absences due to intermittent injury problems will hardly help his cause as he fights to earn a renewal, with his contract expiring at the end of the season.
With the Danish international not recovering, Barcelona’s injury list remains fairly long, as Pedri, Raphinha, Gavi, Joan Garcia, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are all ruled out against Elche this Sunday.