UCL: Pavard to miss Barca showdown

Benjamin Pavard will not be called up for the second leg of Inter Milan’s Champions League semi-final against Barcelona on Wednesday after his ankle injury forced him to leave Monday’s training session.

Inter Milan completed their final training session on Monday afternoon ahead of the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, with Benjamin Pavard and Lautaro Martinez joining the group.

The duo had been sidelined for the Nerazzurri’s 1-0 win over Hellas Verona in Serie A due to recent injuries, but Inter were hopeful they could be involved against the Catalans and recover from their respective injuries.

“We’ll decide with the medical staff and the players,” Inzaghi told reporters earlier today. “Yesterday, Pavard took part in the first part of training and he felt OK, so we’ll see. Lautaro hasn’t trained since the last match with Barca, so let’s see how he is today, and then we’ll decide.”

Captain Martinez was able to complete the session without any problems and is now heading for a starting place in Simone Inzaghi’s lineup alongside Marcus Thuram in the attack. But the same did not apply for Pavard.

The Frenchman’s ankle issue forced him to leave training, with reports now informing that he is set to be excluded from the matchday squad. Should Pavard be absent, Yann Bisseck will fill in for him in defence on Tuesday night.

Midfielder Davide Frattesi will also be ruled out against Hansi Flick’s side at the San Siro due to a knock picked up at the weekend against Verona. Inter will host Barcelona, aiming to seal their place in the final after last week’s 3-3 draw at the Montjuic.