Simone Inzaghi said on Monday that Lautaro Martinez is in a race against time to be fit to play in Inter Milan's Champions League showdown with Barcelona at the San Siro.
Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez is expected to miss the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Barcelona next week after picking up a hamstring injury.
The UEFA Champions League remains the one major honour that has slipped through his fingers, with Inter narrowly missing out in the 2022–23 final against Manchester City.
Argentina striker Martinez has agreed to pay 5,000 euros ($5,463) as part of a plea bargain with the FIGC, whose rules ban taking the Lord's name in vain.
Martinez joins Argentina's growing list of absentees, including captain Lionel Messi, sidelined with a muscle strain, along with Gonzalo Montiel, Giovani Lo Celso, and Paulo Dybala.
Argentina striker Martinez's deflected header from a corner in the 78th minute was enough for champions Inter to get past revitalised Genoa and move a point above Napoli, who are at Como in Sunday's early kick-off.
Inter's skipper had not scored for his club since Nov. 3 in a 1-0 win over Venezia.
Argentina striker Martinez lashed home his fourth goal of the season in all competitions on the hour mark after a poor clearance from Zeki Celik to give Inter a hard-fought win at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
Lautaro confirming his intention to stay at Inter is a huge boost for a club which headed into the close season in uncertain mood after a sudden change in ownership.
Lautaro Martinez ensured that Inter Milan kept hold of their two-point lead at the top of Serie A as he struck in Sunday's scrappy 1-1 draw at closest rivals Juventus.
Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram have rapidly struck up a formidable attacking partnership which will lead Inter Milan into Tuesday's Champions League Group D clash with Salzburg.
Argentina striker Martinez nodded home his 11th league goal of the season in the 67th minute of a straightforward win in Turin as Inter went one point ahead of AC Milan, who host third-placed Juventus on Sunday night.
Bologna fought back from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw with Inter Milan at the San Siro in Serie A on Saturday after early goals from Francesco Acerbi and captain Lautaro Martinez had put the hosts in command.
Inter rebounded from their first loss of the season midweek against Sassuolo thanks to a sensational second-half display from Martinez.
Lautaro Martinez struck late to snatch last season's Champions League runners-up Inter Milan a 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad on Wednesday, denying the Spanish side a triumphant return to the competition after a decade away.
The 25-year-old will pair up with either Edin Dzeko or Romelu Lukaku in attack as his team face Manchester City in Istanbul as big underdogs
Argentina are looking to put their shock 2-1 opening defeat by Saudi Arabia behind them as they prepare for their World Cup Group C match against Mexico on Saturday, a game they now feel they absolutely must win.
Inter Milan made it two from two in Serie A with Saturday's comfortable 3-0 win over Spezia on Romelu Lukaku's return to the San Siro.
