Barcelona Could Suffer Another Defensive Setback Against Olympiacos

The FC Barcelona infirmary does not bring good news prior to the match of matchday 3 of the Champions League group stage against Olympiacos. None of the seven injury absences in the Barça squad have managed to recover in time for the match on Tuesday in Montjuïc (18:45 CEST). A list of absences that, in fact, could incorporate another name for medical reasons.

Andreas Christensen missed Monday's training session, the last before the clash against Olympiacos, due to a stomach problem. The Dane played the full 90 minutes in both of his national team's matches during the FIFA window, against Belarus (0-6) and Greece (3-1). In addition, he came on in the second half of Saturday's match against Girona, where he played 27 minutes.

Will Andreas Christensen be available against Olympiacos?

In principle, the 29-year-old defender should be included in the squad against Olympiacos, as his absence on Monday did not imply any physical setback. However, everything will depend on his progress in the coming hours.

Christensen has played minutes in 9 of Barça's 11 matches in the 25/26 season, starting in 3 opportunities (all in La Liga). In the previous 2 Champions League matchdays, he played 20 minutes against Newcastle and entered near the end (86') against PSG. In total, he has accumulated 338 minutes of action in the first two months of the season, surpassing the 259' he accumulated the previous year.

Andreas missed almost the entire season due to muscular problems, which he has completely overcome during the summer. The '15' is one of the players whose contract expires in 2026 and, although his renewal is currently up in the air, the player from Lillerod is clear about his desire to stay at Barça, where he arrived in 2022 on a free transfer.

The seven confirmed absences for Barça against Olympiacos

As things stand, FC Barcelona, for the moment, will arrive with seven confirmed absentees for Matchday 3 of the Champions League against Olympiacos. As against Girona, Raphinha and Ferran Torres will remain on the sidelines. The 'Shark' is still suffering discomfort in his left leg, while the Brazilian has not yet recovered from his injury to his right thigh.

The coaching staff, however, is confident that they will be available for El Clásico next Sunday against Real Madrid. Dani Olmo, on the other hand, will be out for at least another week due to his injury to the left soleus, while Robert Lewandowski and Joan García should reappear after the November break. Gavi and Ter Stegen are long-term absentees after undergoing surgery.

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