Denmark have omitted Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen from their Nations League squad because he was not fit enough to return. Denmark will travel to face Portugal on November 14 before hosting Norway at Parken on November 17.
Christensen remains sidelined
Christensen remains sidelined with a persistent thigh issue. He has been unavailable for selection since September, when he sustained the injury during Barcelona’s 3-1 victory over Sevilla.
Denmark head coach Brian Riemer said: “I have spoken to Hansi Flick regarding AC, and our medical staff has of course been in contact with Barcelona's staff. We have tried to do everything we could. We have of course also spoken to AC a lot. Even though he is one of our absolutely most important players, it has not been possible to get him ready.”
Riemer explains the recovery plan
Riemer said: “Although he could be on the bench for Barcelona on Sunday, he is so far from being able to play a match from the start that he needs to be properly built up. The risk, both for him, for Barcelona and for the national team in relation to his future health, it's about getting things done properly. There was a broad consensus on that.”
Options in central defence
Riemer said: “I would say it this way, that it would be a bigger problem if the national team was not used to playing without Andreas Christensen, as has been the case. So I will also say that I am actually relatively comfortable with Joakim Andersen and Oliver Provstgaard, who played so strongly the last four matches.”
Rasmus Nicolaisen was drafted into the squad as defensive cover.
Dorgu also misses out
Patrick Dorgu was also ruled out of Denmark’s November fixtures after an injury, despite nearing a return to first-team training at Manchester United.
Discussing the United starlet, Riemer said: “It was very close, in relation to him maybe being in United’s squad this weekend. Unfortunately, it has been such a long injury for him and a relatively complex injury, which means that from getting on the bench to being competitive for a national team camp where you have to be able to play and start, there was unfortunately too long a way. In that case, it was relatively simple, because United pulled the plug when we had the dialogue with them and said he is simply not able to get ready.”
