IF YOU had told Chelsea fans that Andreas Christensen would be the beating heart of Europe’s best defence this season, many would have laughed.
After all, the Dane’s mental frailties were a constant source of concern throughout his stay at Stamford Bridge.
Indeed, when Christensen pulled out of last season’s FA Cup Final on the morning of the match, Thomas Tuchel suggested it was “not the first time he did not play although he was physically available”.
It was the loss of Antonio Rudiger to Spanish football, not the Dane, that exercised the minds of Chelsea fans last summer.
But Christensen, alongside Uruguayan Ronald Araujo, is now being hailed as a key factor in the Barcelona resurgence since their catastrophic Champions League group phase debacle.
And Manchester United have to solve the puzzle that has frustrated Spain if they are to stay on course for Europa League glory.
Read more on Man Utd
Ten Hag’s axed Ajax successor Schreuder OUT of Leeds running after Utd trip
How Southampton could line up under Rooney including familiar faces from Man Utd
In their past 12 La Liga games, bringing 11 wins and a draw, Barca have conceded just three goals, carving out an 11-point advantage over Real Madrid in the process.
While the rugged Araujo has earned many of the plaudits, it is Christensen who has caught the eye with the calm assurance he was expected to bring to SW6 – but was never quite able to deliver.
Barca coach Xavi pointed out: “I remember when people said Real Madrid signed Chelsea’s starting centre-back and we signed the substitute.
“The signing of Christensen has not been highlighted. But he has been extraordinary.”
Most read in Europa League
Energy firm flies reps to Maldives resort as Brits struggle to afford heating
Rugby ace's alley sex act was with pal's MISSUS – as wife dumps him over clip
Nicola cops search caravan site yards from where mum's phone was found
Neil Warnock OUT of retirement aged 74 for second stint at Huddersfield Town
5Christensen was missing through injury when Barca lost 3-1 at the Bernabeu in their last league defeat while his absence was equally critical in the decisive Champions League home games against Inter and Bayern – when the Nou Camp side twice shipped three goals.
His return has coincided with a new focus. Christensen, remarkably for a central defender, averages one foul every 87 minutes in La Liga and has just two yellow cards.
It is a testament to his anticipation and timing, with the Dane more at home in a League that does not require the same physical commitment as the Prem.
On the ball, too, he has impressed, successfully completing 94 per cent of more than 700 passes, picking the time to thread between the lines and accelerate the pace of the game.
Christensen, seen by the Barca fans as a cut-price necessity rather than a choice when he arrived on that free transfer, has become an unlikely favourite.
And that consistency has brought acclaim from the club’s former Mexican centre-back, now a B-Team coach at La Masia, Rafael Marquez.
He said: “At the defensive back line, we are seeing more of Araujo and Christensen in the central axis.
“The defender who has surprised me the most is Christensen , who is having a great performance and has adapted quickly.”
What has helped is the rest of the team buying into Xavi’s demand that they defend from the front, putting pressure on the ball.
For a team that is under pressure to entertain, the willingness to put in a shift – even though Barca will be without the injured Sergio Busquets and Ousmane Dembele against United – has been a huge signal of intent.
Xavi explained: “Defending well is not our main weapon, but it is becoming a very good weapon.
“The first defender is Robert Lewandowski. That's where the intensity in the pressure begins and it infects the rest.
“If we don't concede goals, it's everyone's credit, not just the defenders and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen in goal, but they are also at a very high level.”
Lewandowski’s threat at the other end will be high on United’s agenda as well, and former Leeds wide man Raphinha is finally finding his feet in Catalonia.
But if they do not fire, then Barca now believe they can keep United out.
Xavi added: “We are an offensive team, we want to score the second and third.
“But it doesn’t always happen like that and we are winning many games by the minimum because of the way we defend.”
When is Barcelona vs Man Utd?
- Barcelona's anticipated fixture against Manchester United will take place on Thursday, February 16.
- Kickoff is scheduled for 5:45pm GMT, 6:45pm local time.
- The game will be hosted in Barcelona's stunning Camp Nou stadium which can host up to 99,354 people.
- Barcelona ran out 3-0 winners when the sides last met in a 2019 Champions League quarter-final.
Is Barcelona vs Man Utd on TV and can it be live streamed?
- Barcelona vs Man Utd will be broadcasted live on BT Sport 2 in the UK.
- Coverage will commence from 5pm GMT – 45 minutes before kick-off.
- Subscription members of BT Sport can head to BT Sport website or the BT Sport app to stream the entire action live.
- Alternatively, SunSport will also bring minute-by-minute coverage of the match to fans unable to watch.
What is the team news?
Erik Ten Hag is set to continue without long-term absentees Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek.
Attacking duo Antony and Anthony Martial will both need to be assessed before the game.
And Jadon Sancho adds an extra element to Ten Hag's decision-making after his goalscoring return against Leeds last week.
Unfortunately for Ten Hag, Lisandro Martinez is also suspended for accumulating three yellow cards in the group stages.
And January signing Marcel Sabitzer is also unable to play for the same reasons – but he picked them up while playing for Bayern Munich instead.
However, the Red Devils boss has the option to reintroduce Casemiro into the starting XI, as his suspension does not carry over to European games.
Barca boss Xavi does not have as many injuries to deal with, however key players Ousmane Dembele and Sergio Busquets are set to miss out due to their respective injuries.
Frenkie de Jong is likely to start as he faces the club that were desperate to sign him in the summer.
Latest odds
90 min only
- Barcelona 4/6
- Draw 3/1
- Man Utd 7/2
To qualify (Incl ET and Pen)
Read More on The Sun
My ‘Karen’ neighbors don’t like the outfit I wear to mow my lawn
Warning as shoppers have just hours left to use vouchers at popular retailer
- Barcelona 4/7
- Man Utd 11/8
*Odds courtesy of Betfair are correct at time of publication
Source: Read Full Article