Barcelona will be without center back Andreas Christensen for Sunday’s trip to Villarreal after the Dane picked up an injury in training before the game.
Prior to the team’s final training session, manager Hansi Flick sat in front of the media to confirm midfielder Pedri would not be available for the battle of first vs. third in La Liga, but it is in defense where Barcelona’s greatest issue lies.
As noted by AS, Christensen suffered a nasty blow to the knee and limped out of training on Saturday afternoon and was quickly ruled out of the Villarreal game, leaving Flick’s options at center back incredibly slim.
With Ronald Araujo away from the team for personal reasons, Christensen’s absence leaves Flick with just three senior candidates at center back. Pau Cubarsí and Eric García are the only natural options, while left back Gerard Martín has caught the eye in a central role when needed this season.
Barcelona officials reportedly attempted to keep Christensen’s latest setback a secret by not revealing the squad list for Sunday’s game, but the Dane’s absence when the team arrived at their hotel confirmed he will not feature.
It comes as a big blow to Christensen who, as noted by Mundo Deportivo, is facing a battle to prove his consistency if he wants to earn a new contract at Camp Nou.
Santi Comesaña: I Think Barcelona Will Lose
Despite their injury woes, Barcelona will head into Sunday’s game in a confident mood. Not since October 2007 have the Blaugrana lost an away game against Villarreal.
Villarreal midfielder Santi Comesaña, however, believes that streak is coming to an immediate end.
“We’re a good team, we’re proving that in the league, and we have to keep proving it against Barça,” he told AS. “It’s better that they come now.
“If we haven’t won in 18 years, at some point that streak is going to end. At some point, Barcelona is going to lose in Villarreal, and I think it will be this Sunday.
“We’ve already shown that the last few times we went to play at Barça’s ground, that when they take the initiative, we feel more comfortable in those situations.”
READ THE LATEST BARCELONA NEWS, TRANSFER RUMORS AND MORE
- Villarreal vs. Barcelona: Preview, Predictions and Lineups
- Transfer Rumors: Man Utd to Receive Fernandes Bid; Liverpool Make Isak Sale Decision
- ‘A Joke’—Raphinha’s Omission From Best FIFA Men’s 11 Slammed
- Barcelona Predicted Lineup vs. Villarreal: Major Absence for La Liga Leaders
- ‘I’m Not Happy About It’—Hansi Flick Confirms Barcelona Injury Blow
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Barcelona Rocked by Last-Minute Injury Blow Before Villarreal Clash.