Inzaghi: ‘Lautaro Martinez doubts, Inter leave Barcelona with regrets’ | OneFootball

Simone Inzaghi ‘has a few doubts’ Lautaro Martinez will be fit for the 2nd leg of the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, as they leave the 3-3 thriller with ‘some regrets’ it wasn’t a victory.

The Nerazzurri came into this game with confidence at rock bottom after three consecutive defeats, which left them second in Serie A and out of the Coppa Italia semi-final.

However, they had a commanding performance in Catalunya, leading within 30 seconds through a Marcus Thuram back-heel flick, then a Denzel Dumfries brace, but Barca fought back and snatched a 3-3 draw.

Lamine Yamal also hit the crossbar twice, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan had a goal disallowed because his toes were offside.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan offside in Barcelona vs Inter

“We played a great game, clearly were 2-0 up, I still don’t understand why that goal was disallowed, so there are also regrets, but we know that we put in a great performance against in my view right now the best team in the world,” Inzaghi told Amazon Prime Video Italia.

The coach was shown the Semi-Automatic Offside Technology graphic revealing just how close that Mkhitaryan goal was to being given.

“Unfortunately, these incidents can make the difference. It changes nothing in the way I feel about these lads and their performance, as they were fantastic tonight.”

Inzaghi half-time changes to deal with Lamine Yamal

BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 30: Simone Inzaghi, Head Coach of FC Internazionale (L), and Hansi Flick, Head Coach of FC Barcelona (R), gesture as they give their teams instructions 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 David Ramos/Getty Images)

After taking the 2-0 lead, Inter started to drop too deep, so it was important that they came out for the second half with a different attitude.

“We tried to fix a few things, as Lamine Yamal is a player whose quality I haven’t seen for at least 8-9 years,” explained Inzaghi.

“He caused us huge problems, as we had to double up the marking every time, it wasn’t enough, so by tripling up we’d leave gaps elsewhere and were forced to sit deeper. Fortunately, he too lost some intensity over time, as Barcelona too have played many games this season. It was a very good second half performance.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Barcelona 3-3 Inter

Inter also did damage to the Blaugrana with Dumfries and Federico Dimarco taking those very attacking wingback roles.

“We all know Barcelona, they have this tactic of a high line that has seen them already win two trophies and are challenging for another two. They take risks, but it is working because they scored 50 goals this season,” added Inzaghi.

“We came here and knew we had to focus on our organisation.”

Lautaro Martinez worry for Inzaghi

BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 30: Players of FC Internazionale pose for a team photograph prior to 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)

Inter lost Lautaro Martinez at half-time to a flexor issue in his left thigh, so it remains to be seen how bad the damage is.

“He felt a twinge, but had been playing eight games in a row. Unfortunately, we had these little issues, as I didn’t have Thuram, Taremi was also coming off an injury and I wasn’t able to rotate. When you start eight matches in a row, there is the risk of injury, I hope it’s nothing too serious, but I do have a few doubts,” explained Inzaghi.

“Thuram and Dumfries are players we really missed recently. Thuram only trained yesterday after 15 days, I don’t think he had a single shot on goal until the warm-up this evening. When there are so many important games, you need everyone and miss those players who aren’t available. I do want to thank Taremi, who came on with a strong attitude and really helped the team.”

It will all be decided at San Siro on Tuesday May 6, and because the away goals rule no longer applies, it is winner takes all in Milan.

“When we came to Barcelona three years ago, that was a draw too,” concluded Inzaghi.

“I want to thank our fans, their embrace at the final whistle against a painful defeat to Roma really helped. Now it’s going to be a Final on Tuesday, whoever wins will play another Final, whoever loses will go home.”