According to a report by Barca Universal on Thursday, October 22, 2026, Barcelona have suffered another injury setback ahead of their highly anticipated El Clasico encounter against Real Madrid, with experienced defender Andreas Christensen expected to remain unavailable for the important fixture.

The Danish international has been recovering from a left quadriceps injury sustained during Barcelona's La Liga meeting with Sevilla on September 19. Although the initial assessment suggested that he would be sidelined for approximately four to six weeks, his rehabilitation has reportedly taken longer than originally anticipated.

Christensen's continued absence represents a significant concern for Barcelona, particularly as the Catalan giants prepare for several challenging matches across domestic and European competitions.

The defender sustained the injury during the encounter against Sevilla, where he experienced physical discomfort before being replaced by Gerard Martin. Subsequent medical examinations confirmed damage to his left quadriceps, forcing him into an extended period away from competitive football.

Barcelona initially avoided announcing an exact date for his return, explaining that his availability would depend on how successfully he progressed through rehabilitation.

However, fresh information attributed to SPORT suggests that the club could now be preparing for a recovery period lasting approximately two months.

Such a development would effectively rule Christensen out of Sunday's crucial meeting with Real Madrid, while also raising serious questions about his participation in other important upcoming fixtures.

The 30-year-old defender has already missed several matches this season, including domestic encounters against Real Betis and Getafe, alongside Champions League assignments against Galatasaray and Paris Saint-Germain.

His absence could now extend to Barcelona's European meeting with Aston Villa on November 3, a fixture that could prove important in determining the club's position in the Champions League standings.

Furthermore, Barcelona's difficult La Liga trip to Atletico Madrid on November 8 is another encounter in which Christensen's participation remains uncertain.

With the club reportedly determined to avoid aggravating his muscular problem, the medical department is expected to prioritise his long-term fitness rather than accelerate his return.

Barcelona could instead target their home league encounter against Villarreal on November 22 as a possible opportunity for the Danish defender to make his comeback, provided his rehabilitation continues without further complications.

Meanwhile, Christensen's absence creates additional defensive concerns for Barcelona, particularly with Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia also facing availability issues.

The situation could force the coaching staff to consider alternative defensive combinations during a demanding period of the campaign.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his recovery, Barcelona have not officially confirmed when Christensen will resume competitive action.

For now, the club's priority remains ensuring that the experienced centre-back returns fully fit, rather than risking another injury that could keep him sidelined for an even longer period.