Martinez a doubt for Barca showdown

Inter Milan confirmed on Friday that Lautaro Martinez’s left thigh injury will be reviewed day by day, as the ‘Nerazzurri’ hope to have their skipper back for the second leg of the Champions League semi-final tie against Barcelona on Tuesday.

Inter Milan were handed a big blow in their 3-3 draw with Barcelona in the Champions League first-leg semi-final, as Lautaro Martinez was forced off at half time with an injury. Mehdi Taremi came on to replace the skipper for the second period.

“Lautaro Martinez had various clinical and instrumental examinations this morning at the Humanitas Institute in Rozzano. It was found that the Argentine forward has an elongation of the flexor muscles in his left thigh,” the club confirmed on Friday.

The striker’s condition will be “reviewed day by day”, as the ‘Nerazzurri’ look for a miracle with just a few days to go until next week’s second leg at the San Siro. Reports from Italy inform that Martinez’s chances of featuring on Tuesday are ‘very slim’.

The 27-year-old will certainly be ruled out for Inter’s Serie A clash against Hellas Verona on Saturday, as Simone Inzaghi is reportedly set to heavily rotate the team to allow for maximum rest amid the possibility of sealing a ticket to the Champions League final.