CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Lewandowski Is Part Of The Barcelona Squad Set To Take On Inter
Barcelona have included Robert Lewandowski in their 23-player squad for this week’s decisive Champions League semi-final second leg against Inter.
Lewandowski was missing from the side that drew 3-3 at home last Wednesday and hasn’t featured since 19 April due to a hamstring issue. During that absence, he also sat out the recent Copa del Rey final triumph over Real Madrid.
The Poland international was initially considered a doubt to be involved against Inter in the second leg, but has now sufficiently proven his fitness to be named in the travelling group.
However, Barcelona remain without their two favoured full-backs.
It was hoped that Alejandro Balde, having made good progress in his injury recovery, might be available. The optimistic view in the build-up to the first leg was that if he wasn’t ready for that game, he would return against Real Valladolid at the weekend, in time for leg two.
But that hasn’t been the case and Gerard Martin, who struggled against Inter and was withdrawn at half-time, has continued to fill in. The Barca B defender hasn’t overly convinced in Balde’s absence. But, to his credit, he was the best player in Valladolid on Saturday night.
Jules Kounde, who had previously been the main constant in for both Barcelona and France across all competitions over the past couple of years, is also sidelined. The right-back picked up a hamstring injury against Inter last week and could miss most of the rest of the season.
Estimates of a three-week absence would put him in contention to return for the final La Liga game on 25 May and the Champions League final on 31 May, if Barcelona get there.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen, despite making his long-awaited comeback against Real Valladolid, won’t feature against Milan. The club captain is not registered for the Champions League this season due to the long-term nature of the injury he had, with Wojciech Szczesny to return.
23-player Barcelona squad vs Inter – Champions League
Goalkeepers: Inaki Pena, Wojciech Szczesny, Ander Astralaga.
Defender: Pau Cubarsi, Ronald Araujo, Inigo Martinez, Andreas Christensen, Eric Garcia, Hector Fort, Gerard Martin, Landry Farre.
Midfielders: Gavi, Pedri, Fermin Lopez, Dani Olmo, Frenkie de Jong, Noah Darvich.
Forwards: Ferran Torres, Robert Lewandowski, Ansu Fati, Raphinha, Pau Victor, Lamine Yamal.
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