Inzaghi Confirms Ankle Sprain For Key Defender Ahead Of Barcelona Vs Inter Milan Champions League Showdown: ‘We’ll See In A Few Days’ | OneFootball

Simone Inzaghi has confirmed that Benjamin Pavard has suffered an ankle sprain ahead of Wednesday’s clash between Barcelona and Inter Milan.

The Nerazzurri coach spoke to Italian broadcaster DAZN, via FCInterNews, following today’s match against Roma. He all but ruled the Frenchman out of at least the first leg of the Champions League semifinal tie.

Losing a third match in a row across all competitions without scoring was bad enough for Inter Milan.

But on top of that, the Nerazzurri also suffered a big injury blow in today’s Serie A defeat against Roma.

Benjamin Pavard was in the Nerazzurri’s starting eleven.

However, the Frenchman had to come off the pitch early in the first half.

This followed a challenge with Roma defender Zeki Celik in which Pavard appeared to twist his ankle awkwardly.

There were a couple brief attempts by Pavard to play on following the injury.

However, it was immediately clear that the injury was not something that the former Bayern Munich defender could simply run off.

Inzaghi Confirms Pavard Ankle Sprain Ahead Of Barcelona Vs Inter Milan Clash

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 16: Benjamin Pavard of FC Internazionale reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Bayern München at San Siro on April 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Pavard’s injury is a particularly worrying one considering what Inter’s next match.

On Wednesday’s Inter face Barcelona in a Champions League semifinal first leg.

Benjamin Pavard has been one of Inter’s outstanding performers in the Champions League so far this season. He also scored his first ever goal for Inter against his old club Bayern.

However, it now looks clear that Pavard will miss at the very least the first leg of the all-important semifinals.

Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi confirmed that “Pavard had a sprain to his left ankle.”

“We’ll see how it is in the next few days,” continued the Nerazzurri coach.

“He twisted in, and he was on the treatment table.”

“He didn’t want to,” Inzaghi noted. “Because he’s an important player for us.”

“But it forced us to make a change.”

Meanwhile, Inzaghi also said that “we’ll see” whether Marcus Thuram will be available against Barcelona.

Inzaghi Admits “We Had To Do Better” In First Half Vs Roma

BOLOGNA, ITALY – APRIL 20: Simone Inzaghi head coach of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between Bologna and FC Internazionale at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on April 20, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Simone Inzaghi also gave his thoughts on Inter’s poor first half which saw them fall to a third straight loss.

“We had to do better as a team,” admitted the Nerazzurri coach.

“We put too much pressure on them individually. But we never pressed them as a team, and Roma caused problems for us.”

“We conceded a goal from an unlucky rebound,” Inzaghi then added.

“Soule did well. Roma played a great match.”

The Inter coach then said that “in the second half, we tried for it.”

“We would have deserved a better result. But that’s football.”

“We didn’t take advantage of the chances we had, because we had a lack of mental clarity,” Inzaghi argued.

“We’ll have to find it again,” he added. “Because there are still important league and Champions League matches.”

“We have to react to this week at a period where we have a lot of matches,” Inzaghi said. He added that “a positive result can give you a turning point.”

“But we have to find it within ourselves.”

“Today. the fans understood what the guys are doing this season.”

And what Inzaghi feels is important now will be “recharging physical and mental energy.”

“And analyzing what we could have done better today. Because you can always improve.”

“But we gave a lot in the second half.”

And then Inzaghi perhaps hinted at a controversial decision not to award Inter a penalty for holding inside the area with his last comment.

“Talking about another matter would be too easy for me, as the coach,” he said.