Inter forward Lautaro Martinez has been cleared to feature in the semi-final second leg against Barcelona, although Benjamin Pavard will miss out.
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Martinez recovers in time for Barca clashPavard will not feature in the second legCatalans dealing with their own injury crisisFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Inter have been handed a major boost ahead of their crucial Champions League semi-final second-leg clash against Barcelona with star striker and captain Martinez making a remarkable recovery from a thigh injury in time to feature in the high-stakes encounter. However, the Italian giants will be without key defender Pavard, who has been ruled out after suffering a setback during training.
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Martinez was hooked at half-time in the first leg at the Montjuic, with Mehdi Taremi his replacement. It was widely believed that the Argentine would not recover in time for the second leg, but he appears to have shrugged off his thigh problem. While Martinez is unlikely to be 100 per cent, his availability comes as a welcome boost for manager Simone Inzaghi.
Along with the good news of Martinez's return, there was some bad news, too, with Pavard ruled out of the second leg at San Siro after suffering discomfort in Monday's final training session. The France international didn't play in the first leg either, with German centre-back Yann Bisseck replacing the 29-year-old.
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The Nerazzurri aren't alone in being hit with an injury crisis. Indeed, their opponents will have to make do without their starting full-back pair of Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde, with the former picking up an injury in last week's first leg that ended in an entertaining 3-3 draw. Robert Lewandowski, who has missed the last four games for the Catalans, has returned to the squad, with head coach Hansi Flick providing positive updates last weekend.
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The second leg at San Siro on Tuesday, May 6, promises to be a belter of an encounter, with the first game ending all square. If the hosts progress it'll be their second Champions League final in just three seasons. Barca, meanwhile, are looking to reach the final for the first time since defeating Juventus 3-1 to lift the trophy in 2015.
