Opponent watch: Inter Milan key defender suffers injury ahead of Barcelona clash | OneFootball

Following their triumphant return from Seville with the Copa del Rey trophy, FC Barcelona will welcome Inter Milan next week for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final.

Chasing the historic treble, the Blaugrana will be aiming to take a significant advantage in the first leg at Montjuic this coming Wednesday, before travelling to Milan for the reverse fixture on 6 May.

Heading up to the blockbuster clash, Barcelona seem to have been handed another major boost.

Benjamin Pavard injured

Indeed, after reports emerged confirming that Marcus Thuram is set to miss the Barcelona clash next week, Inter Milan have now lost key defender Benjamin Pavard to an injury.

The 29-year-old versatile defender started the Nerazzurri’s game against AS Roma earlier today but suffered an injury very early in the game.

Benjamin Pavard has sustained an injury. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Just eight minutes in, Pavard went to the ground under a challenge from Roma’s Zeki Celik. While he got up and resumed playing, the Frenchman went down again as he seemed to have turned his ankle over while under pressure from an opposition player.

After being examined by the medical staff, manager Simone Inzaghi was forced to replace Pavard with Yann Bisseck, raising concerns in the Inter Milan camp.

Pavard has been a key player for the Nerazzurri this season, featuring in 35 matches across all competitions, in which he has registered one goal and assist each.

The 29-year-old has featured in 11 of Inter’s 12 Champions League games this term, starting ten of them. If confirmed, his absence will come as a big blow for Inzaghi & co. against Barcelona.