Barcelona face major Champions League semi-final headache thanks to UEFA rules

Barcelona are set to be without star striker Robert Lewandowski for both legs of their Champions League semi-final tie with Inter Milan but that’s not the only issue facing boss Hansi Flick

Barcelona must axe unlikely hero Wojciech Szczesny if they want Marc-Andre ter Stegen to play in the Champions League – after Hansi Flick confirmed that their club captain was ‘ready’ to return. The news comes after Barca striker Robert Lewandowski picked up an injury which is set to rule him out for around three weeks.

Ter Stegen, 32, has been out since September, having seriously injured his knee during a match against Villarreal. The German goalkeeper suffered a complete rupture in the patella tendon, prompting Barca to sign Szczesny on an emergency transfer.

Former Arsenal stop-stopper Szczesny had announced his retirement just a few weeks earlier but was convinced to make a U-turn in Ter Stegen’s absence. After biding his time behind academy product Inaki Pena, Szczesny became Flick’s No.1 in January and went unbeaten in his first 22 games.

But now that Ter Stegen is back in full training, quadruple-hunting Barcelona have a dilemma when it comes to European fixtures. UEFA rules state that in order for Ter Stegen to feature in the Champions League, Szczesny must be de-registered from their squad.

“Once the injured or ill goalkeeper is fit to be fielded again, he can resume his position in place of his substitute,” the statute reads. “The return of the original goalkeeper must be announced to the UEFA administration 24 hours before the next match in which the original goalkeeper is due to play.”

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The ex-Poland international has played a key role during their run to the semi-finals, where they’ll face Inter Milan, pulling off crucial saves in a number of games. Ahead of Tuesday’s LaLiga match at home to Mallorca, Flick revealed that Ter Stegen can play again.

“He’s ready, prepared,” the Barca manager told reporters. “We’ll talk about what we need to do. We’ll decide, talking to him, when it’s time to come back.”

Who should Barcelona choose – Wojciech Szczesny or Marc-Andre ter Stegen? Give your pick in the comments section.

Flick has refused to be drawn on which goalkeeper will be chosen for the remaining Champions League games but Szczesny himself would have no issue if Ter Stegen is handed the gloves. “I hope that if the decision goes the other way, Marc will understand, too,” the 35-year-old said last week. “Whatever happens is up to Hansi, and we’ll respect it.”

Szczesny added of his fit-again team-mate: “He’s been at a top level for a long time. He’s won the Champions League and I haven’t. I really admire him, so it doesn’t make sense to compare us.”

As for Lewandowski’s injury, Flick was coy on a return date. His side face Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday before another Clasico on May 11 which could go a long way to deciding which way the LaLiga goes.

Between those games, Barca play Inter twice. “We don’t know yet how long it will be,” Flick replied when asked about Lewandowski. “When he’s ready, we’ll happily welcome him back. There’s no need to rush it.”

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