Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez is expected to miss the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final against FC Barcelona in Milan on Tuesday. This follows the 3-3 draw in the first leg held in Barcelona on Wednesday. Inter remains hopeful and will assess their captain`s condition over the coming days, as the Argentine suffered a muscle injury requiring his substitution at halftime during the first match. Reports indicate Lautaro hopes to recover in time for the home game, but if he`s unavailable, coach Simone Inzaghi will need alternative options. This article explores how Inzaghi might address the potential absence of his key striker.
Inter Milan provided an update on the striker`s injury status on Friday. An official statement from the club confirmed that “Lautaro Martinez underwent several clinical tests and scans this morning at the Humanitas Institute in Rozzano. These examinations revealed an elongation of the flexor muscles in his left thigh. His recovery will be monitored daily.”
Potential Replacements for Lautaro
Lautaro, with 21 goals in 47 appearances across all competitions this season, has been a standout player for Inter, making his potential absence a significant challenge for Inzaghi. Adding to the concern, fellow striker Marcus Thuram recently returned from his own muscle injury just before the first leg in Barcelona. Should Lautaro be unavailable, Mehdi Taremi, formerly of FC Porto, is the most probable candidate to step into the starting lineup, having replaced Lautaro in the second half of the initial match. Taremi`s debut season at Inter since his free transfer from Porto in summer 2024 has been modest, with only three goals scored. However, his promising display in the second half in Barcelona suggests he can contribute effectively.
Given that Joaquin Correa is not included in Inter`s Champions League squad, Marko Arnautovic is the only other striking partner available to potentially play alongside Thuram. While some have speculated about Inzaghi potentially deploying midfielder Davide Frattesi in a deeper role behind Thuram in a more defensive setup, this appears highly improbable. Inzaghi has consistently used a 3-5-2 formation throughout his four seasons at Inter and is highly unlikely to deviate from his established tactical system for such a crucial match.
