Alejandro Balde will not be able to return to Barcelona and play in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Inter due to injury.
Sport reported that Balde is making a good recovery, and there were attempts to include him in the squad for the match against the Nerazzurri at the Estadio Olimpico Luis Companys on Wednesday.
However, coach Hansi Flick ultimately intervened and halted these attempts, preferring to give the left-back sufficient rest and not put pressure on him for fear of a season-ending setback.
The current plan for Balde is for him to be included in the squad for the match against Valladolid next Saturday, play a few minutes, and then be relied upon as a starter in the crucial second leg at the San Siro.
Flick is leaning toward relying on Inigo Martinez at left-back against Inter because of his defensive capabilities and ability to build play, especially since he succeeded in this role in extra time in El Clásico.
