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FC Barcelona will take on Inter Milan on May 6, at the San Siro Stadium in Milan for the Champions League semi-final second leg. After a thrilling 3-3 draw in the first leg in Spain, the stakes are extremely high in this second leg tie with a spot in the final at stake. Barcelona have been dealt some big blows with two of their first choice full-backs; Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde, set to miss this crucial match. However, they have been handed a potential boost with the return of Robert Lewandowski.
Lewandowski has just recovered from an injury and has travelled with the team to Milan. However, the big question that remains is whether he will be in the starting lineup for Barcelona tonight. Speaking to the media in the pre-match press conference, Hansi Flick addressed this very question stating that with Lewa’s recent recovery from injury, it will be better for him to start on the bench tonight. He also said that Lewandowski might start the upcoming LaLiga game against Real Madrid on the weekend.
Who will replace injured Alejando Balde and Jules Kounde in Barcelona’s backline?
In such a case, Ferran Torres will most likely start for FC Barcelona alongside Raphinha and Lamine Yamal. Although the big question for Hansi Flick to solve will be Barcelona’s backline problem. With Balde and Kounde both out due to injury, Flick will have to make some bold decisions on which players to field in this tough tie. Gerard Martin started the last game against Inter Milan in the previous week but was poor in defending the right flank against Inter’s Denzel Dumfries.
It is expected that Flick might experiment a little with the backline to put Inigo Martinez in the left-back position to provide more defensive solidity. Given that, Ronald Araujo is expected to start alongside Pau Cubarsi in the heart of the defence. Lastly, Eric Garcia is being tipped to take over at the right-back position.
