Hansi Flick will not risk Robert Lewandowski from the start in Barcelona’s Champions League clash with Inter.
The 36-year-old striker, who has netted 40 goals for Barca in all competitions this season, had been sidelined for his club’s last four games.
After sustaining the injury during Barca’s 4-3 victory against Celta Vigo on April 19, he missed their Copa del Rey final victory over rivals Real Madrid and the first leg of the Champions League semi against Inter.
However, the Poland international is fit to feature in the second leg against Inter at San Siro on Tuesday.
Flick, though, is planning to use Lewandowski, who is only one goal away from netting his 100th for Barca, from the bench.
“We’ve spoke yesterday and everything is going the right way, and [Lewandowski] is good,” Flick said.
“Much better than we expected, and he’s ready for the bench. So when we need him, maybe he can come in.”
Barcelona’s hopes of reaching their first Champions League final in a decade are buoyed by Lewandowski’s return, especially after an exhilarating 3-3 draw in the first leg.
However, the team will be without key full-backs Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde, who are both sidelined through injury.
Flick did not reveal his plans to replace the duo, but he hinted at deploying centre-backs Ronald Araujo and Eric Garcia out wide, or relying on youngsters Hector Fort or Gerard Martin in their natural positions.
Kounde and Balde absences will pose a massive challenge for Flick with Barca struggling to stop Inter’s counter-attacks in the first leg, with wing-back Denzel Dumfries scoring twice and providing an assist.
“As a coaching staff, we analyse everything. We see how a player performed in each situation and after [the first leg] maybe we will have to make some changes because we need to defend much better,” Flick added.
“Football is really complex, so it has to do with everything. It has to with the player but we have to find the right idea of how we want to play, the match plan. Of course, the changes have to be good, but also the players have to show on the pitch who they are and what they are made of.”
Barca are chasing a treble, unbeaten domestically since late December and leading LaLiga with 79 points, four ahead of Madrid.
After facing Inter, the Blaugrana host Madrid in a crucial LaLiga clash that could effectively decide the league title on Sunday.
According to Opta’s supercomputer, Barca have a 55% chance of reaching the Champions League final, and a 27% probability of lifting the trophy.
Their chances of winning LaLiga, meanwhile, stand at 86.7%.
