According to reports, German coach Hans-Dieter Flick is now considering a defensive line with four central defenders against Inter Milan, featuring Eric García, Ronald Araújo, Pau Cubarsí, and Iñigo Martínez, with the latter playing on the left.

While many assumed Alejandro Balde would be a major surprise in Barcelona’s squad for the match against Inter Milan, the latest updates from the dressing room have almost completely ruled out his participation on Tuesday. Journalist Gerard Romero was the first to report Balde’s absence, which was later confirmed by AS.

Balde’s absence is a significant blow for Flick, who is seriously considering a defensive line of four central defenders to compensate for this crucial absence on the left. Gerard Martín playing 90 minutes against Valladolid is another indication of the German coach’s plans, as he may seriously consider deploying Iñigo Martínez on the left, as he did in the second half of the first leg against Inter at Montjuïc, which yielded excellent results.

On the other side, Eric García, another central defender, will be present, although his exact role is unclear as he has played in almost every position since Flick’s arrival. In central defense, Ronald Araújo and Pau Cubarsí will feature, although the possibility of Andreas Christensen replacing Araújo cannot be entirely ruled out, especially after his strong performance against Valladolid.

Concerns about Balde began on Thursday when he was supposed to return to training. However, his condition was not satisfactory, leading to his exclusion from the squad against Valladolid, where he was expected to play a few minutes to prepare for the return leg against Inter. Now, the immediate focus is on his recovery for El Clásico next week.

In contrast, Robert Lewandowski will definitely be available for the match in Milan. The Polish striker is expected to return to training on Sunday and could play between 25 to 30 minutes at the Giuseppe Meazza. In the dressing room, Lewandowski’s recovery has been described as “miraculous,” as he has managed to return within two weeks after suffering a left hamstring injury.