Simone Inzaghi cannot yet confirm whether captain Lautaro Martínez will play against Barcelona on Tuesday. The Inter Milan coach indicated during the press conference ahead of the match that it will likely be all or nothing: either he starts or he won’t play at all.
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In Milan, Inter and Barcelona are set to face off in a decisive showdown that will determine who earns a coveted spot in the Champions League final.
With the tie finely balanced after an exhilarating 3-3 draw in the first leg at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, all eyes turn to the San Siro on Tuesday night. The match kicks off at 21:00 (local time) and promises to be an intense and emotionally charged affair, with both clubs dreaming of European glory.
The build-up to this crucial semi-final second leg has been dominated by one burning question: will Inter’s captain and talisman Lautaro Martínez be fit to play? The Argentine striker was forced off at halftime during the first leg, sparking concerns among Nerazzurri supporters and raising doubts about his availability for the return match. Although initial reports from Italian media suggested that Martínez could recover in time, his participation remains uncertain just hours before kick-off.
Inter head coach Simone Inzaghi addressed the issue during his pre-match press conference but offered no definitive answers. “We’ll decide together with the medical staff and the players,” he explained. “They need to be honest with me about how they’re feeling. Pavard trained yesterday and felt good, which is a positive sign. Lautaro, however, hasn’t trained since the first leg. We'll see how he responds today.”
The possibility of using Lautaro as a substitute, even for a few key minutes, was also put to Inzaghi. But the coach made it clear that he’s not a fan of risking players who aren’t fully fit. “It really depends on how he feels,” Inzaghi stressed. “A player who isn’t ready to start often struggles to make an impact in the closing stages. In such high-stakes games, every minute counts. His sensations will dictate the decision.”
This situation is all the more frustrating for Inzaghi given the number of injuries Inter have endured throughout the campaign. Still, the manager remains confident in his squad’s depth and resilience. “We’ve had to deal with many injuries this season,” he said. “But we’ve always managed to respond. Against top teams like Barça and Bayern Munich, we proved that our squad is strong and capable of competing at the highest level.”
The upcoming clash will be anything but straightforward. Barcelona, led by German tactician Hansi Flick, arrive in Milan with confidence and ambition. They remain one of the most lethal attacking sides in Europe and are still in contention for a historic quadruple. Flick’s high-risk, high-reward approach has earned praise from rivals and pundits alike, including Inzaghi himself.
“We know the quality Barcelona have, and we know they take risks when defending,” Inzaghi acknowledged. “But that’s part of their strategy. Hansi Flick is a top-level coach who knows exactly what he’s doing. He calculates those risks. I respect him tremendously for how he’s built this team.”
The game also echoes Barcelona’s recent Copa del Rey semi-final, in which they drew 4-4 in the first leg against Atlético Madrid before turning the tie around in the return leg. The Catalans will likely approach Tuesday’s game with the same attacking mindset, trying to overwhelm Inter with pressing, possession, and flair in the final third.
For Inter, the stakes could not be higher. The last time they reached a Champions League final was in 2010, when José Mourinho led the club to European glory as part of a historic treble. Now, under Inzaghi’s guidance, they are just 90 minutes away from returning to that same stage. The fans at San Siro will create a deafening atmosphere, urging their team to rise to the occasion.
Whether Lautaro Martínez can lead them on the pitch remains to be seen, but regardless of who lines up, Inter will need to be at their absolute best to overcome a Barcelona side brimming with confidence, experience, and attacking firepower.
Updated: 03:49, 5 May 2025
