"Ready for the bench": Lewandowski returns to Barca's squad against Inter

Robert Lewandowski is returning to FC Barcelona's Champions League squad sooner than expected. The striker, who suffered a thigh injury in mid-April, is in the squad for the semifinal second leg against Inter Milan.

Still a spectator in the first leg: Robert Lewandowski. IMAGO/ZUMA Press Wire

Following the thigh injury sustained in the 4-3 win over Celta Vigo, the Blaugrana, led by coach Hansi Flick, kept the loss of top scorer Robert Lewandowski a secret. There was talk of the Pole being out for up to three weeks, a period that would have included the semifinal second leg against Inter Milan. At the start of what is arguably Barca's most important week of the season—after the Champions League showdown on Tuesday (9 p.m.), the Liga Clasico against Real Madrid takes place on Sunday afternoon (4:15 p.m., both LIVE! on kicker)—there has been some good news regarding this personnel issue.

On Monday, the Catalans announced their 23-man squad for the clash at San Siro, which also included Lewandowski's name. The 36-year-old Pole, who was a spectator in the stands for the 3-3 first-leg draw , is fit again and will help Barca take the penultimate step toward a fifth Champions League title in the fashion capital.

Flick: "He's doing much better than we expected"

"Everything's going in the right direction; he's doing much better than we expected," Barca coach Hansi Flick said at a press conference a few hours later about his striker's condition. "He's ready for the bench, and if we might need him, he can come in."

Substitute Ferran Torres recently attracted attention , delivering a strong performance against Inter (kicker rating of 2.0) and will likely start at striker in the return leg. With Lewandowski's return, however, Flick has a fresh option who has been in outstanding form this season: The former Munich player has already scored 40 goals across all competitions, and as a penalty-box striker, he has the kind of impact that could come into play against the Italian champions, who are known for their deep-lying defense.

Jules Koundé , who also injured his thigh on Wednesday and had to be substituted early, will not be playing in Milan. Flick will also be without Balde , Marc Bernal , Marc Casado , and Pablo Torre due to injury, but he will again be without Marc-André ter Stegen for understandable reasons .