Barcelona might still be able to count on recovering full-back against Inter Milan – Report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona will soon head towards Italy as they prepare to take on their biggest challenge yet this season. Playing against Inter Milan at the San Siro is always difficult, but this match comes with extra pressure. Fighting for a place in the UEFA Champions League final, this game will demand everything from Barcelona.

With a 3-3 draw being the score from the first leg, this second clash promises to have a lot of intensity and action as well. For both teams, this match is essentially a final in itself, and neither side is willing to lose it just like that.

Unfortunately, Barcelona will be at a massive disadvantage heading into this game due to the unavailability of both of their starting full-backs. Jules Kounde’s recent injury meant that he would be missing this game no matter what, but even Alejandro Balde will reportedly miss this crucial Champions League encounter.

Alejandro Balde might just travel with the squad to Italy

However, there might just be some sort of hope for the latter to be available. According to information provided by Santi Ovalle (h/t Reshad Rahman), there is a possibility that Balde could travel with the Barcelona squad to Italy, and the decision to play him could be decided later on.

Alejandro Balde might just travel with the Barcelona squad to Italy. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

While this is no guarantee, it is still a positive sign if Balde can potentially become available somehow. After all, Barcelona clearly struggle on the left flank without him, and his presence can be clearly felt whenever he does play for Hansi Flick’s team.

Against a team like Inter Milan, moreover, it is something that is perhaps even more important considering the lack of threat that Barcelona posed from the left flank last time out. For now, however, Balde’s availability is still a big question mark, and there is no certainty over whether or not he will end up being available somehow.

Some good news for Barcelona

Fortunately for Barcelona, one player who is most certainly going to be available again is Robert Lewandowski. The Polish striker is now ready to return, and it is expected that he could even come off the bench against the Italian side if needed at some point during the game.