Riemer recounts Christensen’s emotional call before his withdrawal

“Christensen? He was almost in tears when I called him,” Brian Riemer said. Denmark’s coach explained that the defender had withdrawn from the squad to continue his recovery, despite recently returning to the pitch against Atleti.

Andreas Christensen had been out for almost two months with a muscular injury to the left rectus femoris, sustained on 20 September. Riemer said he had spoken with the player about his condition and his decision not to join the international gathering.

The coach said the defender’s reaction showed how difficult the absence has been for him. “He loves the Danish national team. Last night I almost had a man in tears on the phone, because he is very frustrated and upset by this situation,” Riemer explained. Christensen does not consider himself ready to play international matches at present. “He felt he wasn’t ready and therefore had to withdraw. In the condition his body is in right now, he doesn’t feel ready to play international games,” the coach said.

The focus is now on continuing his recovery and conditioning, which he needs to complete with the professionals at his club. Riemer also stressed that a possible place on the bench, or even a few minutes on the pitch, would not mean the defender was ready for a full match. “Even if he could be available on the bench and play five minutes, there is still a long way to go before he can play 90 minutes and compete at the highest level,” he said.

The withdrawal does not mean the coach has stopped counting on Christensen. Riemer made clear that the defender remains in his plans and pointed to March as a target: “We are just as keen for him to be ready for March.” The immediate priority is therefore to continue rebuilding his condition without rushing his return to international duty, while he still does not consider himself fit to play at that level.