Key Champions League losses: Who will miss the Inter-Barça return leg?

Published:1/05/2025 - 06:38h

Updated:1/05/2025 - 06:38h

Key injuries at Inter and Barça: Who will miss the return leg? Analysis and impact of each injury

Inter Milan and FC Barcelona play the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals next Tuesday. With the tie completely open after the draw at Montjuïc (3-3), the 'Nerazzurri' and 'Azulgranas' have several doubts in their squads for the decisive match for the ticket to the final in Munich.

Barça could lose Jules Koundé, who left with an apparent calf injury in the first half. Eric García was chosen by Hansi Flick to replace him, while Héctor Fort remained on the bench.

For their part, Inter are also at risk of being without their captain, Lautaro Martínez. The Argentine also couldn't play the second half due to a muscular problem. Mehdi Taremi came on at halftime for the forward.

🔜Second leg match. Inter-Barcelona

🗓️ Date: Tuesday, May 6, 2025
⏰ Time: 21:00 (local time)
🏟️ Where it's played: Giuseppe Meazza Stadium (Milan, Italy)

🚑Inter-Barça: possible injury absences for the second leg in Milan

The potential absences of Koundé and Martínez add to other absences both teams had to deal with in the first leg. Barcelona could not count on, besides Marc Casadó and Marc Bernal, Robert Lewandowski and Alejandro Balde.

The full-back got injured almost three weeks ago against Leganés, while the '9' suffered an injury a week later against Celta. This prevented them from playing against Mallorca and the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid.

Without Balde, Barça has lost depth and cover on the left flank, while Lewandowski's absence means doing without the team's top scorer ('Pichichi') (40 goals in 48 matches). Álex [Balde], furthermore, is the defender with the most assists for the 'Culés' (10).

Simone Inzaghi's side, on the other hand, lost one of their best defenders, Benjamin Pavard, last Sunday against Roma due to an ankle problem. The other long-term absentee for the 'Interisti' is Valentín Carboni, ruled out for the rest of the season.

❓Lewandowski and Balde, doubtful for the return leg at the Giuseppe Meazza

Lewandowski and Balde: Can they play the semi-final second leg against Inter?

In the case of Robert and Álex, the coaching staff will wait until the last minute on Monday to know if both are fit enough to be called up for the return leg in Italy.

'Lewy' had started the previous 12 matches, scoring 11 goals, while the number '3' [Balde] was a substitute against Red Star (2-5) and Brest (3-0), with a total of 4 assists in 10 appearances.

"Hopefully, they will make it for the second leg. But we must wait. We can't do anything senseless. We have to listen to the doctors, like today with Lamine," Flick argued regarding the potential absence of both. Yamal felt muscular discomfort during the warm-up, but ultimately was able to play the match without problems.

For now, the one with the least chance of being included in the squad is Lewandowski, as his injury requires around three weeks out, and this Saturday will mark just 15 days in the Barça treatment room.

Balde, for his part, continues to train separately from the group and will complete three weeks out next Saturday. In principle, the full-back will not be available for the match against Valladolid, but he might have a chance of receiving medical clearance for the Inter game.

Gerard Martín did not have a good first half on Wednesday, and Hansi Flick decided to substitute him at halftime. Iñigo Martínez was tasked with covering the left flank in the second half.

❌Koundé and Lautaro, practically ruled out for the semi-final second leg

Alarm bells at Barça! Jules Koundé gets injured against Inter

The situation for Jules Koundé and Lautaro Martínez is much more complex. The full-back went off in the 41st minute with hamstring discomfort and, after the match, admitted to "not feeling well at all", leading to suspicion of a possible tear.

In any case, we must wait for the medical tests the club will perform this Thursday to determine the extent of the injury. The number '23' is the player in the Barça squad with the most minutes played (4,423) and has 3 assists in 13 Champions League matches.

Lautaro, for his part, left in tears at halftime and did not return for the second half. "He felt some pain; tomorrow we will see the tests. Without doubt, he will be a doubt for the second leg," commented coach Simone Inzaghi on his captain's condition.

The number '10' is Inter's top scorer this season, with 21 goals in 47 matches. In the Champions League, he scored 8 goals in the first 12 matches, between the league phase and the knockout stage (round of 16 and quarter-finals).

🏥Injured players for Inter and Barça:

FC Barcelona:

Jules Koundé: hamstring discomfort (possible tear). Return: unknown.
Robert Lewandowski: left semitendinosus injury
Alejandro Balde: distal left hamstring injury. Return: first/second week of May.
Marc Casadó: partial tear of the lateral collateral ligament in the right knee. Return: end of May.
Marc Bernal: anterior cruciate ligament tear in the left knee and an associated injury to the lateral meniscus. Return: July-August 2025.

Inter Milan:

Lautaro Martínez: muscular injury pending tests. Return: unknown.
Benjamin Pavard: ankle sprain/twist. Return: unknown.
Valentín Carboni: cruciate ligament tear. Return: July-August 2025.

🟡Inter and Barça, no players suspended for the Champions League return leg

Regarding suspended players, Barcelona and Inter will be able to play the return leg at the Giuseppe Meazza without any suspended players. Pau Cubarsí and Hakan Çalhanoğlu were the only players booked by referee Clément Turpin at Montjuïc, but this was only the second yellow card in the tournament for both.