Barcelona Faces Major Loss Ahead of Inter Milan Match

Barcelona, Spain — FC Barcelona will feel the impact of Robert Lewandowski‘s absence in their crucial match against Inter Milan. The Polish striker, a key figure for the team this season, is recovering from a muscle injury sustained during a league match against Celta Vigo on April 19, where Barcelona won 3-2.

In that match, Lewandowski was instrumental, scoring the decisive goal from a penalty kick. However, the injury has led to a cloud of pessimism surrounding the team’s prospects. Lewandowski’s current tally stands at 99 goals for Barcelona, and he will have to wait longer to reach the 100-goal milestone.

The news of Lewandowski missing the first leg of the semifinal is particularly concerning as he is the team’s top scorer and a frontrunner for the Golden Boot this season. Yet, surprisingly, coach Hansi Flick faces an even larger challenge due to another player’s absence.

While Lewandowski has an able deputy, Ferran Torres, who has scored 18 goals and provided four assists this season, the team struggles without Alejandro Balde. The left-back has been sidelined since April 12 due to an injury sustained in a match against Leganes.

Since Balde’s injury, Barcelona has played four matches, winning two in the league and one in the final, while suffering a defeat in the Champions League. However, his absence is glaring, as players Gerard Martin and Hector Fort cannot match Balde’s skill set.

Ultimately, Flick has opted for Martin to fill the left-back position, despite his uneven performances earlier in the season. While Martin has shown some improvement, he remains below the standard required for Barcelona’s competitive aspirations.

The absence of both Lewandowski and Balde will test Barcelona’s resilience as they prepare to face Inter Milan, highlighting the fragile nature of squad depth in elite football.