Christensen misses out on Denmark squad as Riemer explains his decision

Christensen will not be part of Denmark’s squad during the international break. The Danish coach explained that the defender had chosen not to join the group, despite recently returning to action against Atlético de Madrid. After nearly two months out, he is continuing his rehabilitation rather than immediately resuming with the national team.

The injury dates back to September 20, when Christensen hurt the rectus femoris muscle in his left quadriceps. He apologised for not joining Denmark so that he could continue his recovery programme and regain full fitness. His return to a match, therefore, is not in itself proof that he is ready for international duty.

Riemer stressed the difference between a limited return and being fully available. In his view, an improvement in the defender’s condition does not mean he has regained full fitness: being able to play a few minutes is not the same as being ready for matches at the highest level. The coach also pointed to Christensen’s injury history as a reason to follow every stage of his recovery.

To illustrate the ground still to make up, he referred to the possibility of the player being available to sit on the bench or come on briefly. “Even if he is available to sit on the bench and play for five minutes, he still has a long way to go before he can play 90 minutes and compete at the highest level.” That distinction helps explain why the national-team call-up was not treated as a straightforward extension of his return for his club.

The coach also described his conversation with Christensen the previous evening. “He loves the Danish national team and, when I called him last night, there was a man on the verge of tears because of his frustration and deep disappointment with the situation,” Riemer said. The defender had clearly been upset by the absence, even as the decision allows him to continue his recovery.

Riemer said he continued to count on Christensen. “We want him to be ready in March just as much,” he added. The coach thus identified that point as a hoped-for return target, while the immediate priority remains completing the recovery work with the club’s medical staff and specialists.