Barcelona close out the year dealing with a familiar issue in the squad, a lack of margin in the defensive line. Andreas Christensen partially tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in an accidental collision during training and will undergo conservative treatment. The estimate is that he could be sidelined for three to four months, although the club has avoided setting a specific timetable. It’s not a complete tear, but the practical impact is real and needs to be assessed calmly. Barcelona are left short in a sensitive position and head into early 2026 knowing that any setback could carry more weight than it should.
Christensen did not travel for the match against Villarreal, and tests carried out on Sunday in Barcelona confirmed the injury. The Dane’s personal context matters. Last season, he barely found any continuity because of a calf problem and missed most of the campaign. Now, just as he was trying to regain rhythm, he faces another long interruption. Even so, internally, the club is careful not to treat the situation as an immediate sporting drama.
A short squad, but no internal panic
Under Hansi Flick, Christensen had not been a central figure in the team. For that reason, there is no sense of urgency in the club’s day to day. The issue isn’t the absence on its own, but the broader picture. Without Christensen and with Ronald Araujo still sidelined, with no clear return date, Barcelona are left with only two natural center backs fully available, Pau Cubarsí and Eric Garcia. Jules Koundé, although a center back by trade, continues to be used as a fullback, which further limits the real options through the middle of the defense.
The Christmas break becomes a moment of analysis for the front office
Even without public noise, the topic is on the table. The Christmas break gives Barcelona a window to analyze scenarios, physical workloads and options without the immediate pressure of the schedule. The center back position was already being monitored before Christensen’s injury, and this latest setback reinforces the need for evaluation, even if it doesn’t force an immediate decision.
The strategy now is to understand whether the current squad can handle this stretch or if action will be needed to avoid excessive exposure later on. It’s not about fixing a crisis, but about preventing one.