Barcelona have booked their place in the UEFA Champions League semifinals after a dramatic two-legged battle with Borussia Dortmund. Despite a 3-1 defeat in the second leg, their commanding 4-0 win in the first leg was enough to seal a 5-3 aggregate victory.
With that result, the Catalan giants are set to face Inter Milan in what promises to be a thrilling semifinal clash. The first leg is scheduled for April 30, with the return fixture taking place on May 6.
La Liga to Offer Reprieve?
Barcelona’s Champions League run, however, has created a tight scheduling situation. The club is currently set to face Real Valladolid on May 4—just two days before their crucial second leg against Inter.
In light of this, La Liga appears ready to lend a rare helping hand to the Blaugrana. According to a report from COPE, the league is considering rescheduling the Valladolid match to May 3, giving Barcelona an additional day to rest and prepare for their European showdown.
“Barcelona may get another day of rest ahead of their second leg tie against Inter Milan” (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
While the potential change would offer Barcelona a valuable buffer before facing Inter, it’s likely that head coach Hansi Flick will rotate his squad heavily for the Valladolid fixture regardless. With not only the Champions League semifinal on the horizon but also a season-defining El Clasico against Real Madrid scheduled for May 11, squad management will be critical.
The clash with Valladolid may therefore see a largely second-string Barcelona side, as the club balances the high stakes of European and domestic competition.
