Opponent watch: Inter Milan key forward a doubt for Barcelona clash after injury setback | OneFootball

As we enter the final phase of the season, players across Europe are starting to feel the strain of the relentless fixture schedule with the list of injured players growing by the week.

One such injury might end up having major implications for Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League semi-final encounter against Inter Milan.

Marcus Thuram injured

Indeed, as reported by SPORT, key Inter Milan forward Marcus Thuram has suffered an adductor injury in his left thigh.

Thuram sustained the injury during Inter’s recent Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich.

Though he finished the match in visible discomfort, initial concerns have now been confirmed and he is sidelined with a muscular issue.

Marcus Thuram is injured. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The French attacker will miss this weekend’s Serie A clash against Bologna and remains a doubt for the first leg against Barcelona on 30 April at Montjuic, with the return leg scheduled for 6 May at the Giuseppe Meazza.

Thuram has emerged as one of the most important players for Inter under Simone Inzaghi, forging a formidable attacking partnership with captain Lautaro Martinez.

So far this season, the 27-year-old striker has bagged 17 goals and nine assists from 44 matches in all competitions, with only Martinez outscoring him for the Nerazzurri.

As such, the French international’s injury comes as a major blow for Inter heading into the final phase of the season.

While he will be assessed day to day, as things stand, he is considered a doubt for the tie vs Barcelona and his potential absence will be a major boost for the Catalans.

The Blaugrana themselves are sweating over the availability of key left-back Alejandro Balde for the semi-final first leg, as he recovers from a hamstring injury.