Inter confirmed that striker Lautaro Martinez suffered an injury to the hamstrings, which made him unusual to face Barcelona in the semi-finals of the League of Champions on Tuesday.
Martinez, who has 21 goals in all competitions this season, did not emerge for the second half of the 3-3 dramatic draw between the two parties earlier this week, immediately arousing fears that he suffered a serious injury.
Reports in Italy recognized that Martinez needed a “miracle” if he was going to be able to the return match and that his involvement in the game is now threatened after confirmation of his injury.
Inter refused to put a delay on the recovery of Martinez, insisting rather on the fact that he will be assessed “day after day” in order to leave the door open to the presence against Barcelona.
Even if Martinez, who scored each of her five previous games in the Champions League before the first leg of Barcelona, returns in time for Tuesday’s match, he should only be named on the bench, with a departure considered as incredibly improbable at this point.
The two parties were weakened during the first stage while Barcelona lost the right back Jules Kounde in the first half. The French will certainly miss the return match and will spend the next three weeks on the sidelines.
There have been positive news for Barcelona before the match while manager Hansi Flick confirmed that goalkeeper Marc-André Ter Stegen will have had his first appearance since August as a starter during the meeting on Saturday with the real Valladolid.
Strongr Robert Lewandowski fights to come back for the second meeting with Inter, while there is hope on the left back, Alejandro Balde will be in good shape to play a role.
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