Inter’s Lautaro Martinez to Miss Como Clash After Suffering Calf Injury Setback
Inter Milan is bracing for a significant absence as captain and star striker Lautaro Martinez will not participate in the upcoming Serie A match against Como, as confirmed by the Italian league leaders. Following medical evaluations conducted on Friday, it was determined that Martinez is dealing with a mild muscle strain in his left calf, prompting the team to announce that his condition will undergo further assessment in the days ahead.
Recent reports from Italian media suggest that Martinez, aged 28, could potentially make a swift return in time for the following week’s home fixture against Cagliari. As the current top scorer of the league with 16 goals, his absence during this crucial period could prove detrimental to Inter’s aspirations.
Inter holds a substantial seven-point lead over the defending champions Napoli, with only seven matches remaining in the Serie A season. Martinez’s previous stint on the sidelines lasted six weeks earlier this year due to muscular injuries, a period that greatly challenged Inter’s squad as they faced difficulties on the pitch, including two defeats and a draw within three matches in March.
Upon his return last weekend, Martinez made a notable impact by netting two goals in Inter’s impressive 5-2 victory against AS Roma. However, his current setback arrives at an inopportune moment, as Inter is set to travel for a challenging encounter against fourth-placed Como, a team eager to capitalize on any slip-ups from the leaders.
With Inter keen to maintain their lead and ward off the rising threats of Napoli and third-placed AC Milan, who are trailing by nine points, coach Cristian Chivu is expected to reconfigure the team’s attack. In Martinez’s absence, it is anticipated that Marcus Thuram will team up with Pio Esposito in the forward line, as Inter aims to navigate this critical juncture of the season without their prolific captain.
