Inzaghi Issues Cautious Fitness Updates On France & Argentina Stars For Inter Milan Vs Barcelona Champions League Second Leg | OneFootball

Simone Inzaghi feels it’s “tough” for Lautaro Martinez to return for the second leg against Barcelona, while there’s “little hope” for Benjamin Pavard.

The Inter Milan coach spoke in a press conference after yesterday’s thrilling 3-3 draw in the first leg of the Champions League tie, as reported by FCInterNews.

Inter Milan played out a spectacular 3-3 draw against Barcelona yesterday.

It was a good result for Inter, giving them a platform for the second leg. However, it did come at a cost for the Nerazzurri.

Inter captain Lautaro Martinez started the match. He has started every one of Inter’s matches since the return from the international break.

And evidently this has taken its toll on the Argentine. Martinez had to come off at halftime, having suffered a muscle problem in his right thigh.

Inzaghi: “Tough For Lautaro To Return For Barcelona Second Leg”

PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 05: Lautaro Martínez of FC Internazionale looks on during the Serie A match between Parma and FC Internazionale at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 05, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi commented on the fitness of Martinez for the second leg.

“It will be really tough to get him back,” said the coach.

Inzaghi continued that “Tuesday will be like a final.”

“We dedicate it to our fans because what they did for us on Sunday after the Roma match was special.”

The Inter coach noted that “they saw the difficulties we were facing.”

“Our fans understood things,” Inzaghi said. “And tonight they were brilliant.”

“75,000 of them already bought tickets for the second leg, even before today.

“And we’ll be up against a great team,” the Inter coach said. “Even though we’ll probably be without our captain.”

Meanwhile, Inzaghi commented on the performance by Mehdi Taremi, who replaced Martinez at halftime.

“My compliments to Taremi,” the Inter coach said. “For how he came into the difficult match.”

“He gave the team a big hand. Yesterday, I had doubts about Thruam, and Arnautovic had played 95 minutes against Roma.”

Inzaghi said that “they all did very well.”

“Then obviously in the last few minutes I played with a lone striker. Because Thuram was exhausted and we were getting pushed back.”

Inzaghi: “Little Hope” For Pavard – Likely Out “18-20 Days”

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Benjamin Pavard of Internazionale warms up ahead of the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Fiorentina at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 10, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Inter were also without defender Benjamin Pavard yesterday.

The Frenchman suffered an ankle sprain during Inter’s Serie A loss to Roma on Sunday.

And Inter coach Inzaghi made clear that Pavard “won’t be available against Verona” this Saturday,

“And there’s little hope for him to be back against Barcelona.”

Inzaghi noted that Pavard’s injury is not “just a minor problem that takes three days to recover from.”

“It’s an 18-20 day issue to get over,” said the Inter coach.

Inzaghi Calls Yamal “The Kind Of Talent Born Once Every 50 Years”

BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 30: Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between FC Barcelona and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on April 30, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Of yesterday’s match, Inzaghi said that “it should make us proud.”

“Then there’s also a bit of revenge for having lost a two-goal lead, then the goal for 3-2. And then the goal for 3-4 that was disallowed.”

“We could have won against a team that have a player who’s very hard to mark,” said the Inter coach.

“In the second half we kept the match under control well. And then in the last 25 minutes, Yamal caused massive problems for us.”

“A talent like that is born once every fifty years,” Inzaghi said of the talismanic Barcelona winger.

“This was the first time I’ve seen him live.”

“We held the pitch very well in the second half. And we could have won it. But we’re looking forward.”

Inzaghi also noted that “Thuram trained yesterday, but without shooting because there were still risks with his fitness.”

Meanwhile, Dumfries noted that “Dumfries had played 25 minutes agauinst Roma.”