Yahoo Sports Argentina Copa America Hero Pushing To Return To Fitness – But Inter Milan Won’t Take Any Risks
Lautaro Martinez is pushing to return to fitness as soon as possible, but Inter Milan aren’t going to take any risks.
This according to today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews. They also report that the 27-year-old will not ask to be left out of the Argentina squad during the international break.
It is perhaps no great surprise to see Inter captain Martinez struggling a bit physically.
The 27-year-old has played a total of 128 matches for club and country since August 13th 2022.
Martinez has played in 101 matches for Inter out of 106 during that period.
The majority of those have been in starters, as the Nerazzurri have fought tirelessly on many fronts, including reaching the Champions League final in 2023.
And then for Argentina, Martinez has played in 26 matches out of thirty. He has won both the World Cup and the Copa America in that period.
This summer, Martinez made a late return to training.
And the little over a week that the Argentine had to prepare physically for the season clearly was not enough.
Lautaro Martinez Pushing To Return But Inter Won’t Take Risks
Martinez missed out in Inter’s Serie A match against Lecce over the weekend.
The intense schedule and a very short preseason seemed to catch up with the 27-year-old.
However, Martinez’s problem is not a very serious one. He is just dealing with a minor muscle issue.
Therefore, the Nerazzurri captain is already getting close to fitness. He has recovered from his injury and is already starting to build match sharpness.
However, Inter are ready to be wary about letting Martinez push himself to hard.
The Argentine is virtually certain to be out of the starting eleven for Inter’s next match against Atalanta.
On the one hand, having Martinez in the lineup would be a boost in what will be, on paper, Inter’s toughest match of the season by far.
But that would be less so if the captain is still not looking sharp, as was the case in Inter’s opener against Genoa.
Moreover, the Nerazzurri are well aware that it’s a long season.
Having Martinez for Friday’s match might potentially be a boost in the short-term. But if he were to pick up a more serious injury, it could be disastrous.
Therefore, Inter will focus on giving Martinez plenty of time and easing him back into the team.
Meanwhile, the international break begins next week.
Martinez will likely have a lightened schedule with Argentina over the break. However, Tuttosport reports, neither he nor Inter will formally ask the Albiceleste to stay behind and train during the break.
