Injured Barcelona rising star targets return for UCL semi-final first leg vs Inter Milan | OneFootball

Barcelona will take on Inter Milan in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, with the first leg of the contest set to take place on April 30.

The Blaugrana will face a stern test at the hands of the Nerazzurri who eliminated Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.

Alejandro Balde wants to return for the semi-finals

Now, according to AS, Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde has set himself the ambitious goal of returning in time for the Champions League semi-final first leg against Inter Milan on April 30.

The young defender suffered a hamstring injury in his left leg during the match against Leganes on 12 April, and although the club has not issued a precise timeline, early signs indicated a minimum three-week absence.

It essentially ruled the 21-year-old La Masia prodigy out of the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid on April 26 in Seville.

Balde intends to return vs Inter Milan. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images)

Currently, no one at Barça is considering the Copa del Rey final as a realistic return date for Balde. Instead, all eyes are on the Inter match at Montjuic.

Inside the dressing room, there is recognition that it would be a “major challenge” to have Balde fit for that game, especially as it would fall short of the expected recovery window.

Still, the Catalans have not ruled it out entirely, aware that Balde is doing everything possible to make himself available. That said, his explosive playing style means there is a higher risk of relapse with hamstring issues.

Balde has a history of such problems – last season, he required surgery for a tear in his right hamstring, which kept him out for over four months. These medical concerns mean the club’s doctors will only give him the green light if there are strong guarantees of safety.

If Balde is unable to return for the first leg, the aim will be to have him fully ready for the return leg in Milan a week later.

By then, he will have completed the estimated recovery period, and the coaching staff expects him to be at 100% for that decisive fixture.