Okay, guys, back with another dive into the football whirlwind. Woke up this morning buzzing about the big Inter clash coming up. Coffee in hand, the first question popping into my head was simple but burning: Will Lewa and Balde actually be there? You know how it is with injuries – one day they’re “almost ready,” the next they’re “needing more time.” Super frustrating.
Where I Started
First thing, hit the usual spots online. Pulled up three different reliable football gossip feeds – you know the ones that usually get it right before the official word drops. Started scrolling through yesterday’s training reports, searching for any nugget about those two specifically.
- Pictures: Were they actually shown in full training gear with the squad? Or hiding away with the physios?
- Breadcrumbs from Pressers: What nonsense (if any) did the manager leak recently about them? “Day by day” or “bigger problems than we thought”?
- Insider Whispers: Any of those “close sources” dropping anonymous hints on news sites or socials?
Felt like a detective hunting clues, honestly. Nothing concrete jumped out straight away. Just the usual vague fluff. Needed to dig deeper.
The Video Check
Time to get visual. Found some shaky fan clips posted outside the training ground gate from yesterday evening. Zoomed in like my life depended on it – literally squinting at blurry figures running drills.
- Lewa: Spotted him! Was he doing the sharp turns? Looked like he was involved in the passing drills, seemed okay. Not full-tilt sprints maybe, but moving freely. Promising sign.
- Balde: Trickier. Couldn’t place him clearly in any group work. Mostly saw him jogging alongside a fitness coach near the sidelines. That side-eye jog… never feels like a “ready for battle” vibe. Uh-oh.
Still not clear, though. Maybe Balde was just doing recovery separately earlier? Or maybe he tweaked something? That uncertainty kept gnawing.
Putting the Puzzle Pieces Together
Based on the crumbs:
- Lewandowski: All signs point to YES. Active training, likely managing something small but ready to roll. Barring disaster in the next session, he plays.
- Baldé: Looks like a NO to me. If he’s not integrated with the squad at this late stage, seems too big a risk to throw him in against Inter. Probably a bench warmer at best, if even that. Sub if we’re desperate maybe?
So Who DOES Play Against Inter?
Right, so knowing that likely hole on the wing…
Shifted focus. Who takes Balde’s spot if he’s out? Started looking at the last few games where he didn’t start. Tracked who got the nod instead. Also considered tactical flexibility:
- Raphinha pushed wide? Works hard, good engine.
- Maybe Fermín gets a surprise start? Kid’s been buzzing recently.
- Or stick with Ferran? Even if he hasn’t been super convincing.
Checked recent lineups and dug into player stats. Looks like the obvious, boring choice is… probably Ferran Torres. Manager seems to trust him for the big games, even when fans groan. Standard practice.
The Final Verdict
After pulling all the info together – the reports, the blurry videos, the patterns – here’s the likely lineup scenario:
Lewa starts up top. We need his goals. Balde sits out. Shame, his pace could’ve been deadly. Ferran probably on the wing. Hope he has one of his good days. That’s how it looks from where I’m sitting, based on everything I could piece together today. Feels like we’re mostly covered for Lewa, less so on the left.
Always hold your breath until the official team sheet lands an hour before kickoff, though! Let’s see if Inter gets a lucky break on the injury front.