Edit Content
The latest Italian football news, transfers and more
Edit Content
//

Inter Captain Lautaro Martinez Is Fit To START Vs Barcelona

Start

The latest Lautaro Martinez injury update has indicated that the Inter captain has been passed fit to face Barcelona on Tuesday. 

That’s according to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport. The publication’s front page on Monday was dominated by Martinez’s swift recovery.

Naturally, the news will come as a huge boost to Simone Inzaghi and the Nerazzurri faithful. The Italian head coach leads his side into the Champions League semi-final second leg at the San Siro and will able to call upon his star forward.

In the first leg, Martinez was seen visibly struggling with a thigh injury towards the interval. The Argentine World Cup winner didn’t reappear for the second-half at the Olympic Stadium.

Martinez was hooked as a precaution and was replaced by Mehdi Taremi. In the Serie A fixture against Verona on Saturday, Martinez played no part in the 1-0 win in order to help aid his recovery.

Lautaro Martinez Injury Update Provides Inter With Huge Boost

After Simone Inzaghi provided a concerning Lautaro Martinez injury update last week, it appears that the Inter captain will start vs Barcelona.

He felt a twinge, but had been playing eight games in a row. Unfortunately, we had these little issues, as I didn’t have Thuram, Taremi was also coming off an injury and I wasn’t able to rotate,” Inzaghi said after the first leg.

When you start eight matches in a row, there is the risk of injury, I hope it’s nothing too serious, but I do have a few doubts.”

Those doubts can be banished going into Tuesday’s clash. Inter and Barca are tied at 3-3 after a thrilling encounter on 30 April.

Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries (2) netted for the Serie A giants. Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres and a Yann Sommer own goal replied for Barca.

15 years ago, Inter got the better of the LaLiga giants at this stage of the competition. Martinez will certainly be vital to the Nerrazzurri if they hope for a repeat outcome.

Elsewhere, Benjamin Pavard is also expected to feature. The France international suffered an ankle sprain against Roma on 27 April but has since recovered.

If Inter does progress to the final, they will meet either Arsenal or PSG at the Allianz Arena. The finale will b eplayed on May 31.

Ben Horlock

Ben has a long standing devotion to Italian soccer and in particular, Serie A. Ben grew up watching legendary presenter James Richardson deliver the latest news and views with the daily papers and breakfast in hand. Not only does Ben follow Italy's top soccer division, he is an avid follower of all the major European leagues. Ben is an expert on all things Serie A and has produced a number of features and news articles for FootItalia as well as UK-based outlets such as HITC, 90min, GiveMeSport and Betfair. In the US, Ben has been published on ESPN and Sports Illustrated. Ben enjoys delivering the latest news but his favorite area is to produce well-researched, long-form features.