Inter captain Lautaro Martinez is in doubt for Wednesday’s Champions League match against Ajax due to back pain.
Inter captain Lautaro Martinez could be out for Inter’s Champions League match against Ajax due to back pain. Martinez didn’t train with the rest of the team on Tuesday and instead worked out in the gym. Despite the setback, he travelled to Amsterdam with the squad.
Matteo Darmian won’t be available for the match due to a similar issue with low back pain. He remained in Milan. Inter coach Cristian Chivu will provide updates on Martinez’s fitness at a press conference today at 19:00 CET (18:00 BST). The timing of the press conference will give fans and pundits alike a better idea of Martinez’s chances of taking the field against Ajax.
If Martinez is unable to start, Ange-Yoan Bonny and Francesco Pio Esposito are potential replacements. Bonny might be favoured to partner with Marcus Thuram, although he had a disappointing performance against Juventus, where he lost possession, leading to a goal. Esposito, on the other hand, will likely have to settle for a bench start if Bonny gets the nod.
Martinez has been in excellent form this season, and his absence would be a significant blow to Inter’s attacking prowess. The Argentine forward scored nine goals in 14 Champions League appearances last term, making him a crucial player for Inter’s success in the competition.
The Champions League match against Ajax is set to kick off at 19:00 CET on Wednesday. Inter fans will be hoping that Martinez recovers in time to lead the team onto the field and make a strong impression in the competition.
