Barcelona’s striker Robert Lewandowski has been cleared to make a return after recovering from a hamstring injury but is expected to start on the bench in their crucial Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan on Tuesday, as confirmed by manager Hansi Flick. The 36-year-old Polish forward has had an outstanding season, scoring 40 goals across all competitions, but has missed the last four matches due to his injury, including a Copa del Rey final victory over Real Madrid and the first leg of this semi-final.
Flick expressed optimism about Lewandowski’s condition, stating, “We’ve spoken yesterday and everything is going the right way, and he’s good. Much better than we expected, and he’s ready for the bench. So when we need him, maybe he can come in.” This news provides a boost to Barcelona’s hopes of advancing to their first Champions League final in a decade, especially after the thrilling first leg ended in a 3-3 draw.
However, Barcelona will have to navigate this important match without two key fullbacks, Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde, who are sidelined with injuries. While Flick did not disclose specific replacements for the absent players, he hinted that center-backs Ronald Araujo and Eric Garcia might step in or that young talents like Hector Fort or Gerard Martin could be utilized in their natural positions.
The absence of Kounde and Balde could prove to be a significant hurdle for Barcelona, particularly given the challenges they faced against Inter’s counter-attacking play in the first leg, notably from Denzel Dumfries, who terrorized their defense and recorded two goals and an assist.
Flick acknowledged the need for improvements in defense, emphasizing that the coaching staff continuously analyzes player performance and acknowledges the importance of tactical adjustments.
Despite the injury setbacks, Barcelona remains in pursuit of a treble, being unbeaten in La Liga since late December and holding the lead with 79 points, four points ahead of Real Madrid. After the pivotal clash with Inter, they will host Real Madrid in what could be a decisive league encounter on Sunday.
This mixture of young talent and seasoned experience within the Barcelona squad offers fans a glimmer of hope as they gear up for this decisive moment in their season. With Lewandowski potentially making a critical impact after his return, the atmosphere is ripe for a thrilling continuation of their Champions League campaign.
Leave a comment