Inter receive huge boost after star recovers from injury ahead of Champions League semifinal vs. Barcelona
Inter Milan are set to host the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals against FC Barcelona in what promises to be one of the most thrilling fixtures of the 2024–25 season. The excitement in Milan is building, especially after confirmation that one of the team’s key players has recovered from injury and will be available for selection.
Inter started strong in the first leg at the Montjuic Olympic Stadium, jumping to a 2–0 lead. However, they couldn’t maintain control, ultimately settling for a 3–3 draw. With everything on the line in Tuesday’s decisive match, the Italian side received welcome news regarding a star’s fitness.
Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez has recovered from his injury, and will be available to play against Barcelona. The Argentine forward suffered a left thigh strain in the first half of the first leg and was substituted at halftime.
On Monday, head coach Simone Inzaghi offered an update during his pre-match press conference: “Lautaro hasn’t trained since the match against Barcelona—we’ll see how he is today. It depends on how he feels. A player who can’t start from the beginning will likely struggle to help us in the final 25 minutes.”
Martínez quickly gave the coaching staff reasons for optimism. During the team’s training session later that day, the striker completed the full workout, including match simulations alongside fellow forward Marcus Thuram. All signs now point to the duo being ready to lead Inter’s attack on Tuesday.
Lautaro, Inter’s talisman in the Champions League
Although Lautaro’s domestic form has dipped—scoring just 12 goals in 31 Serie A appearances—he’s delivered when it matters most in Europe. This season, he has 8 goals in 12 Champions League matches, placing him fifth in the tournament’s scoring chart.
Beyond that, Martínez has become Inter’s all-time leading scorer in the Champions League, surpassing Brazilian icon Adriano with 20 goals. With a place in the final at stake, the Argentine will have the chance to solidify his reputation as Inter’s go-to player on the European stage.