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Barcelona defender’s resurgence serves as a timely boost for the club
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- Barcelona defender’s resurgence serves as a timely boost for the club
Barcelona defender's resurgence serves as a timely boost for the club
There were many positives for Barcelona to take note of following their 5-0 win over Elche CF in the opening game.
While much of the discussion has centred around the performances of the attackers, the Barcelona defence also deserves some credit.
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Xavi Espart is one player who performed brilliantly on the night despite playing out of position. But another defender who made a mark was Andreas Christensen.
A brilliant return for Christensen
As reported by SPORT , it was the first time Christensen completed a full game since September 28.
On his way back to regaining greater importance. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
That statistic alone highlights just how difficult the last couple of seasons have been for the Dane.
Over the previous two campaigns, he featured in only 24 matches, just six of them as a starter, with persistent injuries severely disrupting his rhythm.
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His last full outing before Elche had come almost eleven months earlier, against Real Sociedad.
The 30-year-old, who renewed his contract until 2028 this summer while accepting a considerable pay cut from €12 million to €6 million annually, had already shown promising signs in pre-season.
He played in all six of Barcelona's friendlies, five from the start, and has carried that form into the competitive campaign, forming a solid partnership alongside Gerard Martin.
A timely boost for Flick
Christensen is seen as a viable option for Flick. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Christensen's resurgence could hardly have come at a better time given Barcelona's situation at the back.
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With Ronald Araujo having joined Liverpool on loan, and the club yet to sign anyone from the market, the Dane's performance should give Flick some reassurance.
Flick, who had barely been able to call upon him in recent times, now sees him as a genuine option to help anchor the defence.
His strong form has also allowed Flick to ease Pau Cubarsi back into action gradually.
The young Spaniard did not feature at the Martinez Valero, having only recently returned to training following a demanding World Cup in which he did not rest a single minute.
For Barcelona, a fit and firing Christensen almost feels like a new signing. Should he maintain this level, the Dane could prove crucial in easing the pressure on the club to sign another defender before the window shuts.
