Christensen faces up to two months out for Barça

Andreas Christensen could be out for up to two months after tearing the rectus femoris in his left quadriceps on Saturday at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán.

The 30-year-old Danish centre-back went down in tears against Sevilla, and by Mundo Deportivo's account he sensed straight away that the injury was serious. Barcelona confirmed a "muscle injury in the rectus femoris of the left quadriceps" on Sunday without giving a timeframe. Initial estimates put him out for four to six weeks, but sources close to the player told the paper it could stretch to two months.

The international break, the first of three weeks this season, softens the blow for Hansi Flick. Barcelona are thin at centre-back, with only Pau Cubarsí and Gerard Martín as recognised options alongside Christensen. Flick can shift Eric García and Jules Koundé into the middle of the defence, freeing Xavi Espart and João Cancelo for the full-back positions on either side and Alejandro Balde on the left. Brian Fariñas is also available on the right after a solid pre-season.

Christensen would miss eight matches in all if the longer estimate holds: five in LaLiga and three in the Champions League, including El Clásico and the visit of PSG. The next LaLiga break falls between the Atlético–Barça fixture on 7-8 November and Barça–Villarreal on 21-22 November, and that game looks the realistic target for his return. He also loses his recent recall to the Denmark squad, earned after a strong start to the season at Barça.

With García now needed in a more central role, Barcelona's defensive options look stretched but not bare — for now, the priority is straightforward patience with Christensen's recovery.