Alejandro Balde: Barça hopes to have him back for the 1st semi-final against Inter

FC Barcelona maintains hopes of having Alejandro Balde available next Wednesday, April 30th, in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals against Inter Milan. Including next Saturday's match, the '#3' will be absent for 4 games due to injury.

The full-back suffered a distal injury to the biceps femoris muscle of his left thigh in the Liga match against Leganés (0-1) and the club did not specify his time off. Initially, it was expected that the defender would be out for at least three weeks, but the club is keeping the door open to having him back next Wednesday.

For the moment, Balde continues to work apart from the group, under the supervision of Dr. Ricard Pruna, hoping to overcome his discomfort in his left thigh. However, the club is clear about the risk involved in pushing too hard with this type of injury.

Alejandro Balde, ruled out for the Copa del Rey final

Last season, Álex suffered a complete tear of the proximal tendon of the biceps femoris in his right leg, a problem that required surgery. The full-back was out for four months, a time when Héctor Fort took over his position.

Now, the responsibility is in the hands of Gerard Martín. The 22-year-old defender has improved a lot in the second half of 24-25, but he is clearly far from the physical display that the '#3' can provide. Where Balde's absence is most noticeable is in attack, as his ability to dribble, combine and pass are noticeably superior.

In that sense, Martín will have his biggest test next Saturday against Real Madrid, in the Copa del Rey final. Hansi Flick gave him a rest against Mallorca, a clear sign of his confidence in the '#35' to go for the first major title of the season.

If Balde is not 100% for the first leg of the Champions League 'semi', Gerard will continue in the XI against Inter. This decision will be made on Tuesday, after evaluating the performance of the '#3' in Monday's training session.

⚽Alejandro Balde's statistics in 24-25:

1. Matches played: 43
2. Minutes played: 3,291
3. Goals: 1
4. Assists: 10
5. Cautions: 4

Robert Lewandowski would be a 'boost' for the return leg against Inter

Robert Lewandowski celebrating a goal in the Barça-Dortmund (4-0)

With Robert Lewandowski, on the other hand, there is more caution regarding his return to action. The Pole suffered an injury to the semitendinosus muscle of his left thigh in the Liga match against Celta and his time off is estimated at two to three weeks.

In that sense, the Pole might be ready next week, but Barça prefers to keep him in reserve until the return leg against Inter Milan. The reason, in addition to being strictly preventive, has to do with the team's good offensive work.

And it is that, without the '#9' on the field, both Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo have fulfilled their roles accompanying Raphinha and Lamine Yamal in attack. The player from Terrassa, in fact, has two games in a row with a goal, while the 'Shark' also scored against Celta.

In this way, Lewandowski would miss the Copa final, the first leg of the Champions League 'semi' and, perhaps, reappear on Saturday, May 3 against Valladolid, in Liga, adding some minutes in the second half.