Barcelona star admits frustration at being benched for Porto victory
- Andreas Christensen was surprisingly benched for the Champions League win over Porto
- Jules Kounde's return to centre-back has increased competition for minutes
- A midfield role is a possibility for Christensen
By Tom Gott
Barcelona centre-back Andreas Christensen has admitted he was frustrated to find himself benched for his side's Champions League victory over Porto.
A key cog in Xavi's title-winning side last season, Christensen has still been a regular starter this season but was surprisingly left out of the team that beat Porto 1-0, with Ronald Araujo partnering Jules Kounde in defence.
Kounde spent most of last season as a right-back but Joao Cancelo's arrival has seen the Frenchman pushed back into a central role, further increasing the competition for minutes, and Christensen has confessed he was not best-pleased to see himself left out against Porto.
"I can't explain the Champions League match," he told TV2. "I wanted to play.
"I was frustrated. I always will be if I am not playing. It was only the game against Mallorca that I thought I needed rest because I had so many minor injuries. It was nice, but since I have been fit, I have wanted to play, so it was frustrating."
Christensen is also reported to have admitted he felt he deserved an explanation from Xavi for his omission from the team.
With Kounde and Araujo both available in defence, many have tipped Christensen to move further into midfield and play in the role vacated by Sergio Busquets this summer. Oriol Romeu was signed to help out but supporters are divided on his success there so far.
"They haven't asked me yet, but I actually think it could be a lot of fun," Christensen said of a stint in midfield. "We've had some injuries and I think it's going to be okay actually. I've tried it before, so it won't be brand new, but I haven't been asked yet.
"I would like to try it a few times and give it the chance to see how it is."
Christensen has started eight of Barcelona's nine La Liga games this season, missing only the draw with Mallorca to rest, but his role in the team will become clearer now that Araujo has shaken off a muscle injury.
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