JAKARTA - Robert Lewandowski has recovered from a hamstring injury and has been included in Barcelona's squad for the Champions League semi-final second leg match against Inter Milan on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, early morning WIB.
The 36-year-old striker has missed Barcelona's last four games due to the issue, including the Copa del Rey final win against Real Madrid and the first leg against Inter Milan. However, he has returned to training on weekends.
The Polish striker, who has scored 40 goals this season, was then added to Barcelona's squad for this week's game at Giuseppe Meazza.
However, left-back Alejandro Balde has not recovered in time and will not appear against Inter Milan.
The defender suffered a hamstring injury on April 12, 2025 and initially had hopes he would return for the match against Inter Milan, but he will now focus on preparing for El Clasico in La Liga on Sunday, May 11, 2025, against Real Madrid.
SEE ALSO:
Meanwhile, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick said Lewandowski would start the match on the bench against Inter Milan.
"Everything went well. He was fine, much better than we expected."
"He's ready to sit on the bench. When we need him, maybe he can sign in," Flick told a news conference on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, about Lewandowski's fitness.
Flick also asked his players to come out and enjoy the match against Inter Milan.
He reminded people that no one thought Barcelona would be in this position at the start of the season, struggling to win three titles, and echoing comments from midfielder Dani Olmo that the atmosphere in the dressing room was like a party.
"Do you think I should put pressure on (the players)? How do you think? When we started this season, no one knew what we had achieved to date."
"Now we have won two titles (Supercopa de Espana and Copa del Rey). Now we have important weeks, important matches to win two more titles (La Liga and the Champions League). That's a good thing."
"I want my team to appreciate that, enjoy it, to show how well we can play as a team, to make clubs and supporters proud."
"That's what Dani said. This is how we want to play, to enjoy football," said Flick.
Meskipun demikian, Barcelona menyadari tantangan yang menantikan mereka melawan Inter Milan.
They trailed 0-2 and 2-3 at home last week and struggled to face the threat of Simone Inzaghi's side from set-piece play.
"We have to defend better in a set piece situation. However, we will change a few things. You'll see what happens," Flick said.
Barcelona will also play without their right-back in Italy, Jules Kunde is absent due to a hamstring injury he experienced in the first leg last week against Inter Milan.
Then, Marc Casado, who is now back in training, is back on track. Likewise Pablo Torre and Marc Bernal who have been absent for a long time.
Lastly, goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen was not registered to play in the Champions League.
Last week's first leg ended in a 3-3 draw at the Olympic Lluis Companys so there was still a lot to fight for when the two teams met again for a place in the final against Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal in Munich on May 31, 2025.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
