Inter Milan’s demanding run toward the November international break may have to unfold without captain Lautaro Martínez, who has been diagnosed with a problem in the flexor muscles of his left thigh.
The Argentine forward underwent clinical and instrumental examinations on Thursday at the Humanitas Institute in Rozzano, south of Milan. The assessment confirmed the muscular issue suffered in the aftermath of Inter’s dramatic European defeat to Club Brugge, a 4-3 loss at San Siro in which Martínez scored twice.
His absence would remove Inter’s leading attacking reference point at a particularly crowded moment in the calendar. The 9 November international break offers the most likely target for his return, although he could miss as many as seven fixtures beforehand.
A difficult Milan programme
Inter have two continental matches against Shakhtar Donetsk and Feyenoord to navigate, alongside five Serie A appointments: Bologna, Fiorentina, Venezia, AC Milan and Como.
The potential loss of Martínez for the Milan derby would be especially significant. It is the penultimate match in that sequence and carries its usual weight across the city, for both the club and its supporters.
- European fixtures: Shakhtar Donetsk and Feyenoord
- Serie A fixtures: Bologna, Fiorentina, Venezia, AC Milan and Como
Captain’s early-season impact
Martínez has made a fast start to the league campaign, scoring four times in Inter’s first five Serie A matches. His contribution has already helped shape two recoveries: he struck twice as Inter overturned a 2-0 deficit against Roma, then scored again during another comeback against Napoli.
For Inter, the immediate question is how to cover the goals and leadership of their captain while the fixtures keep arriving. The hope in Milan is that the international pause will provide enough time for Martínez to return for the next stage of the season.
