Lautaro Martinez will miss Inter Milan’s Serie A clash against Como on Sunday after suffering a calf injury, the league leaders confirmed on Friday, forcing Cristian Chivu to reshuffle his attack at a crucial point in the title race.
Inter delivered the diagnosis without delay. “Medical tests today (Friday) revealed a mild muscle strain in his left calf.” That sounds minor, but timing turns it into a problem. Inter cannot afford disruption with the finish line in sight.
Martinez’s absence hits hard. He leads the scoring charts with 16 goals and drives Inter’s attacking rhythm. When he drops out, the whole system loses its focal point.
We have already seen the impact. Inter stumbled through March without him, dropping points and inviting pressure from Napoli and AC Milan. They cannot afford a repeat.
Chivu now turns to alternatives. He is expected to pair Marcus Thuram with Pio Esposito, a partnership that offers energy but lacks Martinez’s sharp edge. They must stretch defences and take chances quickly.
The context sharpens the stakes. Inter sit seven points clear with seven matches left. That cushion looks comfortable, but one slip can change the narrative fast.
Como will not roll over. They sit fourth and sense opportunity. Remove Inter’s main threat, and the game tilts closer to balance.
