Barcelona defender unlikely to return against Aston Villa or Atletico Madrid despite returning to group training – report

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Kickjolly · AI-written · automatically reviewed · Barca Universal ↗

Andreas Christensen has returned to partial group training with Barcelona, according to a report from Barca Universal, after being out injured since September. The Catalan club has been experiencing a defensive injury crisis with multiple players out. Christensen's return to training potentially hands Hansi Flick a fitness boost.

Despite returning to training, Christensen is not expected to be available for the match against Aston Villa on Tuesday, and is also unlikely to play against Atletico Madrid the following Sunday, as per Mundo Deportivo. Barcelona is cautious about his recovery to avoid a relapse, having been plagued by injuries in the last three seasons.

Christensen's absence against Aston Villa is certain, but Barcelona will wait before ruling him out of the Atletico Madrid encounter. His return to full fitness would add experience and defensive solidity to the back line, but the club is taking a cautious approach to his recovery, monitoring it day by day with a week to go until the Atletico Madrid clash.