Stunning news! Hansi Flick has been dealt a major setback at a critical point in the season, as it has been confirmed that a key Barcelona player will miss both the Copa del Rey Clásico against Real Madrid and the much-anticipated Champions League semi-final clash with Inter Milan.

Barcelona is facing a significant setback ahead of the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid, as one of their key first-team players, Alejandro Balde, is in a race against time to regain fitness. The highly anticipated final is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, at La Cartuja Stadium, and tensions are high as both teams prepare for the clash.

Reports from the Spanish media confirm that left-back Alejandro Balde is unlikely to feature in the final after suffering a distal hamstring injury.

Journalist José Álvarez revealed that Balde is expected to be out for approximately 15 to 20 days, casting serious doubt on his ability to recover in time for the showdown with Real Madrid. This development is a painful blow to head coach Hansi Flick, who is already dealing with the pressure of navigating a decisive point in the season.

Balde’s injury doesn’t only threaten his participation in the Copa del Rey final but also puts his involvement in the upcoming Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan in jeopardy.

His potential absence from both high-stakes matches has reportedly alarmed Flick, who considers the young Spanish full-back an essential part of his tactical setup. Balde’s contribution to the team this season has been impressive; he has played in 43 matches, scoring once and assisting ten times, demonstrating his value in both defense and attack.

In light of Balde’s injury, Flick is likely to turn to Gerard Martin to fill the left-back position. However, sources suggest that the coach harbors concerns about Martin’s ability to perform under pressure, especially in matches of such magnitude.

There are fears that relying on Martin could destabilize Barcelona’s defense and potentially derail their hopes in both domestic and European competitions.

The timing of this injury couldn’t be worse for Barcelona, as they prepare to battle their fiercest rivals for silverware. With so much on the line, Balde’s absence could prove to be a decisive factor. Barcelona fans and staff alike will be hoping for a swift recovery, but the outlook remains uncertain as the days count down to one of the most important fixtures of the season.