Andreas Christensen will miss Denmark’s upcoming international matches against Northern Ireland and Lithuania in June to focus on a special training program with Barcelona. National coach Brian Riemer expressed his frustration but emphasized the importance of Christensen’s long-term fitness for both club and country.

Riemer stated that Christensen’s absence is due to the need to rebuild his body after a lengthy injury layoff. The defender has suffered from minor consequential injuries, such as calf problems, due to the weakening of his body during his time away from matches.

Christensen will begin his preparations for the next season earlier than his Barcelona teammates, following a program designed to strengthen his body and improve his overall athleticism. Riemer confirmed that the Danish national team has supported this plan by excusing Christensen from the upcoming international fixtures.

Riemer acknowledged his disappointment in not being able to call upon Christensen for these matches. He highlighted the priority of ensuring Christensen’s full fitness for the future. The goal is to have Christensen in optimal condition for the World Cup qualifying matches in September and the entire next season with Barcelona.

Denmark will proceed with only three center-backs for the June matches: Jannik Vestergaard, Joachim Andersen, and Lucas Høgsberg. Riemer reiterated that this decision prioritizes Christensen’s long-term health and availability for both Barcelona and the Danish national team.