Inter Milan Captain Giving Everything To Make Improbable Return To Fitness For Champions League Showdown Vs Barcelona | OneFootball

Nerazzurri captain Lautaro Martinez is giving absolutely everything to try and return for Inter Milan’s Champions League second leg against Barcelona.

This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews. They report that the Argentine is training individually today.

The most significant fitness doubt for Inter Milan ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League semifinal second leg against Barcelona concerns Lautaro Martinez.

The Argentine started in the first leg this past Wednesday. However, he had to come off at halftime due to a thigh problem.

Subsequent medical tests confirmed that Martinez had not suffered a serious muscle injury. Rather, he had sustained an “elongation” to the flexor muscles in his left thigh.

That has given Inter some hope of recovering their captain for the second leg.

However, the timeline is extremely tight for Martinez.

Lautaro Martinez Giving Everything To Return For Inter Vs Barcelona Second Leg

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 26: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale looks on during the warm up prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between FC Internazionale Milano and RB Leipzig at Stadio San Siro on November 26, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Yesterday, Inter Milan assistant coach Massimiliano Farris hinted that “at the moment, it’s more no than yes” for Martinez to return for the second leg against Barcelona.

Those comments came after a day in which Martinez did not train. Rather, the Argentine was only able to undergo therapy on the affected muscles yesterday.

However, Martinez is using today to try and get back to work.

The 27-year-old is not yet back in full training with his teammates. But he is back on the pitch.

Martinez is very much racing against time to get back to fitness in time for the match against Barcelona.

Considering that the Argentine is Inter’s captain and Tuesday’s match could define the Nerazzurri’s season, missing out is the last thing that he would want.

That does not mean that there is any guarantee that Martinez will be available.

There are only a couple days in which to regain fitness for the Inter captain.

However, Inter assistant coach Massimiliano Farris commented that Martinez would try to “do the impossible.”

And according to the Gazzetta, over the next day or two, the Argentine will give absolutely everything to be ready for Tuesday.