Barcelona have confirmed that Andreas Christensen sustained an ankle ligament injury during Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Inter Milan.
The Denmark international was replaced just before the hour mark at San Siro, with Gerard Pique taking his place.
The Catalan club confirmed on Tuesday evening that the 26-year-old had sustained “a ligament strain,” with more tests scheduled for Wednesday to assess the extent of the damage.
“Andreas Christensen has a ligament sprain in his left ankle. Further tests will be carried out tomorrow to find out the exact extent of the injury,” read a statement from Barcelona.
Barcelona lose their third centre back in the space of 14 days 🤕 pic.twitter.com/qTYTCe65I1
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 4, 2022
How Long Will Christensen Be Out Due To Ankle Injury?
Barcelona have not set a timetable for his absence, but according to AS, the Dane could be out for three weeks.
As a result, Christensen could miss the team’s next five games against Celta Vigo, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Villarreal, and Athletic Bilbao.
Barcelona already have a hole in the middle of their defence, with Ronald Araujo out until at least November due to thigh surgery, and Jules Kounde out with a hamstring injury.
Xavi’s team presently has only two first-team centre-backs fit and available – Pique and Eric Garcia – and the team’s choices at right-back are similarly limited due to Hector Bellerin’s injury.
Related: Hector Bellerin Calf Issue Worsens Barca’s Injury Crisis
The 1-0 loss at San Siro has dropped Barcelona to third position in Group C, three points behind second-placed Inter and six behind leaders Bayern Munich.
In the European match, Hakan Calhanoglu scored the sole goal, but it was a contentious victory for the hosts, as Barcelona had a Pedri effort ruled out for an Ansu Fati handball, and the visitors had a major penalty shout when Denzel Dumfries handled inside the area.
Xavi said after the game that he was “upset” with the decisions made in Italy.
“I’m angry. The referees should come out and explain their decisions because we don’t understand anything. I asked the referee to explain his decisions after the match and he refused. What we lived today is injustice,” he told reporters.
“They told me that Pedri’s goal should have counted. It is a legal goal. In Pedri’s goal, after Ansu accidentally touches it, the rule says that a new play starts from that moment. So it should be considered a legal goal.
“The referee left and said nothing. I’m outraged. We don’t understand. That is the word, outraged.”
COMMENTS