The latest international break has stirred plenty of discussion around FC Barcelona. From Lamine Yamal’s call-up by Luis de la Fuente, to Robert Lewandowski’s injury scare with Poland, and now to Andreas Christensen’s unexpected position change with Denmark.
Last Sunday, Danish coach Brian Riemer surprised everyone, including some in the Barça dressing room, by deploying Christensen as a right-back. The defender not only completed the full 90 minutes in that role but also impressed with his energy and intelligence on the flank.
In Denmark’s 6–0 victory over Belarus, Christensen provided a brilliant assist after a long run down the right wing, leaving fans and teammates astonished. Three days later, Riemer repeated the tactical experiment against Greece, and once again, it paid off. Denmark won 3–1 and now lead their World Cup qualifying group with ten points, level with Scotland.
Flick’s Hand Behind the Positional Change
According to ‘Sport’, it turns out this tactical move was not a coincidence. After the game against Belarus, Riemer spoke directly with both Christensen and Hansi Flick, Barcelona’s coach. During that conversation, Flick pointed out that Christensen has greater speed and technical ability than most realize. He suggested that trying him as a right-back could unlock an additional layer to his game.
Both managers agreed to test the idea, and the result could not have been better. Christensen impressed against Greece, showing maturity, tactical intelligence, and surprising attacking drive.
A Versatile Option for Barcelona
With Flick now at the helm, Christensen’s versatility could become a valuable asset for Barcelona. Much like Eric Garcia, the Danish defender is capable of adapting to multiple positions. Under Xavi Hernández, he had already featured as a defensive midfielder, although with a more positional and stabilizing role.
Throughout his career, the player from Lillerød has accumulated 363 appearances as a centre-back, 22 as a pivot, and only 6 as a right-back, most of them during his time at Chelsea. His recent performances with Denmark suggest that this might not be the last time we see him defending the right side.
This new tactical resource not only strengthens Denmark’s defensive structure but also boosts Christensen’s profile as one of the most versatile and reliable defenders in European football.
Lack of Minutes and Uncertain Renewal
Despite his strong performances, Christensen faces stiff competition at Barça. This season, he has played 311 minutes across six La Liga games and two in the Champions League, averaging just over three full matches. Competition for defensive spots is fierce, but this situation also highlights the squad’s depth, something that was missing in recent seasons.
Contractually, Christensen’s deal runs until 2026, and there has been no formal renewal offer yet. However, the club’s plan is to evaluate his fitness and consistency at the end of the season before making a decision.
What seems certain is that Christensen wants to stay. He feels happy in Barcelona and wants to continue wearing the Blaugrana shirt for many years. His only wish is to have a more significant role under Flick, something he might just achieve if he keeps proving his worth in multiple positions.
Andreas Christensen’s reinvention as a right-back might have started as a tactical experiment, but it could end up being a turning point in his career. Hansi Flick now has a player capable of adapting to various roles, giving Barcelona new flexibility and balance in defense. If Christensen continues performing at this level, his place in Barça’s plans for the future could become more secure than ever.
Discover more from Barça Buzz
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
