Hansi Flick in the foreground with an FC Barcelona flag in the background

Hansi Flick Panics: With no News, He Invents an Emergency Transfer

Flick has no choice but to improvise

Hansi Flick's situation at Barça is becoming increasingly complicated due to Andreas Christensen's prolonged absence . His Achilles tendinopathy has proven to be more problematic than expected. Although he was initially expected to be out of action for only a couple of months, recent reports indicate that his recovery is still nowhere near complete.

The German coach, who arrived at Barça with high expectations, has been doing without one of his key defensive players. The uncertainty surrounding Andreas Christensen's return is causing frustration, as the club hasn't given clear updates on his progress and his time out keeps adding days. This lack of clarity not only affects tactical planning, but also the stability of the team in a season full of demands.

Andreas Christensen controls the ball with the FC Barcelona shirt
Andreas Christensen in a match | Europa Press

An Unexpected Resource from Hansi Flick in the Midfield

In the prolonged absence of Andreas Christensen, Hansi Flick has had to improvise solutions on the spur of the moment. One of the most surprising decisions has been to use Eric García, traditionally a center-back, as a defensive midfielder in several games. This move was not in Flick's plans, but the absence of defensive options and the lack of alternatives in midfield have forced him to make drastic adjustments.

Although Eric García has fulfillled his new role, it's clear that he isn't the ideal solution for a team like Barça. Flick is looking to strengthen the squad in January, but in the meantime he must deal with the limited options at his disposal. Such improvisations reflect the difficulties faced by the coach, who has to manage a weakened squad while at the same time maintaining the team's competitive level.

Eric García with the FC Barcelona training shirt with his mouth open while screaming
Eric García during a Barça training session | @ericgm3

What will Happen to Andreas Christensen?

Andreas Christensen's future at Barça remains uncertain. The Danish defender, a key player for Barça since his arrival in 2022, has a contract until 2026, but his tendency to suffer injuries has raised doubts about his continuity. The board is considering the possibility of offering him a renewal at a lower rate or even putting him on the market during the summer if he doesn't manage to fully recover.

Hansi Flick is still waiting for clearer news about his return but time is running out. In the meantime, the German coach must continue to look for solutions within the squad, waiting for the winter market to offer him the opportunity to bring in new reinforcements.