Inter rocked by injury blow ahead of huge Barcelona second leg | OneFootball

Inter have confirmed striker Lautaro Martinez has sustained a hamstring injury, rendering him unlikely to face Barcelona in Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg.

Martinez, who has 21 goals across all competitions this season, did not emerge for the second half of the dramatic 3-3 draw between the two sides earlier this week, immediately sparking fears he may have suffered a serious injury.

Reports in Italy acknowledged Martinez needed a "miracle" if he was going to be fit for the return fixture and his involvement in the game is now under significant threat after the extent of his injury was confirmed.

Inter refused to put a timeframe on Martinez's recovery, instead insisting he will be evaluated "day by day" in an attempt to leave the door open to featuring against Barcelona.

Even if Martinez, who netted in each of his previous five Champions League games before the Barcelona first leg, does make it back in time for Tuesday's match, he is only expected to be named on the bench, with a start seen as incredibly unlikely at this point.

Both sides were weakened in the first leg as Barcelona lost right-back Jules Kounde late in the first half. The Frenchman will definitely miss the return fixture and will spend the next three weeks on the sidelines.

There was some positive news for Barcelona ahead of the game as manager Hansi Flick confirmed goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will make his first appearance since August as the starter in Saturday's meeting with Real Valladolid.

Striker Robert Lewandowski is battling to return for the second meeting with Inter, while there is hope left-back Alejandro Balde will be fit enough to play a role.