Inter Milan defensive mainstay ruled out of Barcelona encounter – report | OneFootball

Barcelona are set to face off Inter Milan on Wednesday in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final tie at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Montjuic.

High on confidence after beating Real Madrid on Saturday to lift the Copa del Rey trophy, the Blaugrana will be gunning for another win that will put them in a good position to qualify for the European finals.

Inter Milan set to be without Benjamin Pavard

Leading up to the game, Sky Sport Italia now reports that Inter Milan key defender Benjamin Pavard will not be available for the trip to Barcelona this week.

The 29-year-old Frenchman suffered an injury during the Nerazzurri’s Serie A clash against AS Roma this past Sunday and had to be taken off in the first half.

Pavard ruled out of Barcelona clash. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

It has now been confirmed that the former Bayern Munich defender has a sprained ankle and as such he will be unable to play against Barcelona on Wednesday.

This will come as a boost for the Catalans considering that Pavard has been a regular fixture in the defensive line for Simone Inzaghi’s team and has been a consistent performer.

With the French international unlikely to be available, everything points towards Yann Bisseck being the replacement for him at Montjuic.

Meanwhile, as reported a while back, Inter Milan are more optimistic about having key forward Marcus Thuram back and available for the Barcelona encounter.

The forward has missed the last three games due to a muscle injury but has begun training at higher intensity this week, giving the Italian giants hope that he can become available to take on Hansi Flick’s side.