Barcelona receive a huge boost as Inter Milan injury crisis leaves their talisman in a race against time for the decisive second leg
The key forward, who has had a brilliant season for the Nerazzurri with 21 goals in all competitions, was subbed off at halftime with a left thigh strain.
Although early tests cleared him of a substantial muscle tear, it remains unclear whether we’ll see him for the all-important second leg.
The news is particularly timely for Barcelona, who struggled to contain the striker’s movement and finishing instinct in leg one, as reported by Marca.
Inter Milan indicated that the player will be evaluated “day-to-day,” but he has already been ruled out of Inter’s Serie A match against Verona.
With the second leg just over the horizon, if he is unavailable for the match, coach Simone Inzaghi may have to alter the attacking formation with options that do not possess the same finishing instinct.
The unfortunate casualty is Lautaro Martínez, Inter’s captain and leading goal scorer this season.
His absence would leave Inter without their biggest threat in attack, with Mehdi Taremi or Marko Arnautovic possibly taking his spot, neither of whom has the level of consistency or big-game record that Martínez has.
The Barcelona defense will still face a stern test at the San Siro, but losing Martínez would be a major advantage for the Catalans.
It remains to be seen how long Inter will have to wait for their star man to recover, but they will be hoping there is a chance for him to play in the biggest game of the season.
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