Barcelona’s 2025/2026 campaign has been significantly disrupted by a serious setback in defence following Andreas Christensen’s knee injury.
In late December 2025, the club confirmed that the Danish centre-back suffered a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during a training session, resulting in an absence that could extend to three or four months under a conservative treatment plan, a timeline that effectively rules him out for much of the season.
Christensen’s injury compounds long-standing fitness issues that have limited his availability over recent campaigns, and comes at a pivotal moment with Barcelona competing across La Liga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey.
The setback is particularly damaging as it arrives while his contract is due to expire in June 2026, adding uncertainty to his future at Camp Nou.
Moreover, Barcelona’s defensive depth has been stretched further due to Ronald Araújo’s ongoing absence, which has left manager Hansi Flick with limited options at centre-back, a situation that demands tactical flexibility and squad reassessment.
In this Barcelona data analysis, we will evaluate how Barcelona’s defensive profiles adapt to these challenges, focusing on Gerard Martín’s role as a left-centre back and Eric García’s potential deployment in central defence.
We will also discuss whether Barcelona may need reinforcements in the January 2026 transfer window to bolster their defensive resilience.
Will Barcelona Pursue A Left-Footed Centre-Back In January?
Amid Barcelonas defensive crisis in the 2025/2026 season, the prospect of signing a left-footed centre-back in the January 2026 transfer window has become a topic of intense debate.
Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, publicly stated that the club does not intend to prioritise defensive reinforcements in January.
In a recent interview, he emphasised confidence in the players already within Hansi Flick’s squad, suggesting that the current options, including Gerard Martín, Eric García, and Pau Cubarsí, are capable of stepping up without immediate January recruitment.
Examining the data highlights why Barcelona might feel justified in this stance.
Among Barcelona’s defensive options, Eric García and Gerard Martín stand out with high ‘successful defensive actions per 90’ rates.
La Liga Centre-Backs 2025/2026 Defensive Volume
García, often deployed in deeper roles this season, has maintained a strong 8.32 successful defensive actions per 90 minutes, while Martín, a natural full-back but utilised as a left-centre back, has delivered even higher figures at 8.84 per 90, outperforming many La Liga counterparts in aggregate defensive metrics.
Their consistency over a significant number of minutes underlines their reliability despite positional reshuffling.
Moreover
