Barcelona suffered a heavy blow with the injury of defender Andreas Christensen, which is expected to keep him out for the rest of the season, according to the Spanish newspaper "Sport." With limited defensive options available, head coach Hans Flick is forced to look for alternatives from within the La Masia academy to strengthen the defense.

According to the newspaper, Andrés Cuenca, the 18-year-old left center-back from the reserve team, stands out as a promising option. He previously appeared last season under Flick's leadership against Young Boys and is characterized by speed, strength, and technical skill, enabling him to start plays from the back with passes that break through the opponent's lines.

Cuenca has so far participated in three official matches with the reserve team in the Spanish second division, in addition to appearances in the youth league, despite missing the start of the season due to his participation with Spain's under-20 national team in the World Cup. The newspaper confirmed that his consistent performance gives him a chance to be relied upon as a trustworthy substitute in central defense.

The source indicated that Flick does not hesitate to rely on La Masia players under the current circumstances, and the team's reliance on Cuenca is likely to increase in the coming days, alongside Álvaro Cortés. Cuenca is considered a strategic option to compensate for the absence of key players.

These moves come as Barcelona prepares for the second half of the season, aiming to ensure defensive balance and continuity of performance under Flick's leadership.