- Andreas Christensen’s surprising benching for Porto in the Champions League victory
- The competition to play minutes has risen since Jules Kounde returned as centre-back
- Christensen could play in the midfield.
Andreas Christensen, the Barcelona centre-back who was benched during his team’s Champions League win over Porto has revealed that he felt frustrated.
Christensen was a key player in Xavi’s winning side of last season. He has been a regular starter in this season’s team, but was surprisingly left off the one that defeated Porto 1-0. Ronald Araujo partnered Jules Kounde at defence.
Kounde played most of the last season at right-back, but Joao cancelo’s arrival saw the Frenchman moved back to a more central position, increasing competition for playing time. Christensen admitted he wasn’t happy about being left out in the match against Porto.
He told , “I cannot explain the Champions League game.” I wanted to play.
I was frustrated. “I will always be frustrated if I do not play. Only after the match against Mallorca did I think I should rest due to my many minor injuries. “It was great, but I wanted to play since I was fit. It was frustrating.”
Christensen also admitted that he thought he deserved a reason from Xavi as to why he was not included in the squad.
Christensen was on the bench for Porto. BSR Agency/Getty Images
Many have predicted that Christensen will move to midfield this summer, taking over the position Sergio Busquets left vacant. Oriol Romeu has been signed as a helper, but his performance there is divided.
Christensen, who has never been asked about a midfield stint, said: “They’ve not yet asked me but it would be fun.” We’ve been through some injuries, and I believe it will be fine. It won’t feel new to me because I’ve done it before. But I haven’t been asked about it yet.
I would try it out a couple of times to get a feel for it.
Christensen started in eight out of Barcelona’s nine La Liga matches this season. He missed only the draw against Mallorca for rest. His role will be clearer once Araujo recovers from his muscle injury.
