Barcelona Faces Inter Without Key Players in Champions Semifinals

BARCELONA, Spain — FC Barcelona will be missing Alejandro Balde for the first leg of the Champions League semifinal against Inter Milan on April 30. Coach Hansi Flick and the medical team decided it was too risky for Balde to play, despite his hopes of returning.

Balde, who injured his left hamstring on April 12, was expected to be sidelined for three weeks. With the injury still unresolved, he will not be available for this critical match. The club is opting for a conservative approach, eyeing a possible return for Balde in the league match against Real Valladolid on May 3.

This absence adds to Barcelona’s challenges, as they will also be without Robert Lewandowski, Marc Casadó, and Marc Bernal for the clash against Inter. Lewandowski is recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in a league match against Celta Vigo on April 19.

“The team has been performing well offensively, with players like Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo stepping up in Lewandowski’s absence,” Flick said. “We still hope to have him back for the critical match against Real Madrid on May 11.”

Barcelona’s preparations for the semifinal are affected by these injuries. The Blue and Garnet side has high hopes for the Champions League, and Flick is keen to analyze Inter’s strategies before the pivotal match. “Every player is crucial, especially in such decisive matches,” he added.

As the team trained on Monday, Balde did not partake, leading to increased speculation about his status. However, he expressed a desire to contribute, even from the bench. “I want to help my teammates in any way I can,” Balde stated.

With Balde out, 22-year-old Gerard Martín is expected to fill in, a position he has improved in recently, albeit not matching the skill set Balde brings to the attack. Flick aims to finalize his starting lineup after evaluating players’ performances during training.