Barcelona defender, Alejandro Balde is reportedly targeting a return from injury ahead of the Catalan club’s UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg tie against Inter Milan.
The Blaugrana will face a difficult test at the hands of the Nerazzurri who eliminated Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.
According to AS as reported by Barca Universal, Balde has now set the lofty task of getting back in time for the first leg of the Champions League semi-final match against Inter Milan on April 30.
Early indications pointed to a minimum three-week absence for the young defender, who sustained a hamstring injury in his left leg during the match against Leganes on April 12. The club have not provided a specific timeframe.
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The 21-year-old La Masia star was effectively ruled out of the Copa del Rey final on April 26 in Seville against Real Madrid.
Currently, no one at Barcelona is contemplating the Copa del Rey final as a feasible return date for Balde. All eyes are on the Inter game at Montjuic instead.
It is acknowledged in the dressing room that getting Balde fit for that match would be a “major challenge,” particularly since it would not coincide with the planned recovery window.
The Catalans are aware that Balde is making every effort to make himself readily available so they haven’t completely ruled it out. However, there is a greater chance of a recurrence of hamstring problems due to his speedy playing style.
The goal will be to have Balde fully recovered for the return leg in Milan in a week if he is unable to make it for the first leg.
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