Argentina Megastar Benched For Ajax Vs Inter Milan Champions League Opener Due To Injury | OneFootball

Lautaro Martinez will start Inter Milan’s opening 2025/26 Champions League clash against Ajax on the bench.

According to Sky Sport via FCInterNews, El Toro missed the last training session due to back pain.

Ominously, the same problem forced Cristian Chivu to take his captain off against Juventus last weekend.

Indeed, Ange-Yoan Bonny replaced the 28-year-old midway through the second half.

However, it was seemingly more than just a precaution.

Lautaro Martinez Benched for Ajax vs Inter Milan Clash

PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 05: Lautaro Martínez of FC Internazionale looks on during the Serie A match between Parma and FC Internazionale at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 05, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Despite the medical staff’s best efforts, Lautaro has struggled to shake off the discomfort during warm-ups.

Therefore, the former Racing Club star will not be part of Inter’s starting line-up in Amsterdam.

With Martinez out of contention, Chivu must decide whether to hand Bonny a chance to partner up with Marcus Thuram.

The Frenchman failed to impress against Juventus, barely touching the ball since coming on.

Furthermore, he lost possession in the build-up to Vasilije Adzic’s late winner.

Nonetheless, he is the favorite to start alongside Thuram.

Francesco Pio Esposito is another option, though he will probably have to settle for another start on the bench.