Injuries are taking their toll on Barcelona, ​​who are closing the year with their defense in a box.

The center is suffering a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament left knee during a fortuitous action during training last Saturday. The Dane will not undergo surgery, but will follow conservative treatment. However, it is expected to be between three and four months leavealthough the Barcelona declaration does not specify any estimated period. Christensen’s injury leaves Flick with two natural central defenders, Pau Cubarsí and Eric García, since Jules Koundé He was also injured this Sunday, although he usually plays as a winger. It should be remembered that Ronald Araujo is also absent due to a mental health problem and has no expected return date.

To make matters worse, he was injured during the match. Koundéwho requested a change in the 79th minute after noticing a puncture in his thigh. The Frenchman was injured during a race with Mikautadze, after which he went to the bench before collapsing on the grass. He was replaced by Marc Casadó. The footballer will undergo various medical examinations this Monday to determine the true extent of the illness. injury to the biceps femoris of the right legwhich is the first of the season. For the moment, he is uncertain for the next match, against Espanyol, on January 3. “I think Koundé is doing well. He’s been ill the last three or four days and hasn’t been able to attend the game as well as he should have. I think today it’s not something serious», wanted to reassure Hansi Flick.

All these injuries will favor Gerard Martin take on more importance, even if it was already installed in the rear axis. Regardless, depending on the severity of Christensen’s injury, if the four months of absence are confirmed, Barcelona would consider the possibility of traveling to winter market to strengthen themselves for the decisive part of the season.

Despite the injuries, Barcelona celebrated the victory against Villarreal. “I am very happy, we closed the year as leaders, which was the objective,” he explained. Frenkie de Jongwho praised Villarreal: “On the counterattack, they come out fast, they have talent and speed. We had to organize ourselves better. I think we were superior. “It wasn’t comfortable, but it was a deserved victory.” And he concluded: “We are fine. Now is not the time to win titles. “We are alive in everything, we are happy.”

Also Hansi Film He was satisfied: “They have a fantastic team. They are very fast up front and I am very happy to have taken the three points today.” “The best thing is to score points. Joan had several good ones, he had a great match. My team is a little tired. The mentality and attitude is incredible. Three more points and now It’s fantastic to end the year like this“, he admitted, while avoiding commenting on the future international status of his goalkeeper: “It is not my role that Joan García goes to the national team. “I’m happy to have him on my team.”

The coach ended up evaluating this end of 2025, in which he will say goodbye to the year as league leader after winning the competition last season: “I think we have improved a lot of things. The mentality, the quality of the team is very good. The most important thing is how this team trainswith great intensity and quality. When we had these weeks where we didn’t play well, I didn’t understand it either because we trained well. We have to celebrate Christmas with family now, I think it’s important. I wish everyone the best and especially for Gavi, Pedri and Ronald who could not be there today.