Lautaro Martinez fit to start vs. Barca as former striker reveals Inter’s ‘extra resource’ | OneFootball

Almost every doubt surrounding Lautaro Martinez’s inclusion in Inter’s starting XI against Barcelona has now been dispelled, with the captain reportedly recovering from his muscle injury in time for the match.

Lautaro Martinez is expected to lead the Nerazzurri’s attack alongside Marcus Thuram, in front of a packed and electric San Siro, where fans have prepared a special choreography for the occasion.

BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 30: Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale (obscured) celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates 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 Carl Recine/Getty Images)

The tifo will involve every section of the stadium, with supporters asked to raise the coloured cards left on their seats to form a mosaic that will include the message: ‘Forza Inter’.

What’s more, after weeks of protest — which saw them remain silent for the opening 20 minutes of every game in opposition to rising ticket prices and the ban on displaying their historic banners — Inter’s Curva Nord has announced they will end their strike and resume chanting from kick-off.

Lautaro Martinez fit to start vs. Barcelona – Zamorano reveals Inter’s secret weapon

Despite Lautaro Martinez only being partially fit and Benjamin Pavard officially ruled out, Inter face an uphill battle to reach their second final in three years. Barcelona’s stars have already shown the pressure they can pile on Simone Inzaghi’s defence, having scored three goals in the first leg and created numerous other chances.

Even so, former Inter striker Iván Zamorano believes the support of the home crowd could make a real difference.

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 16: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates with teammate Benjamin Pavard after scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Bayern München at San Siro on April 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“Tonight I’ll be at the stadium with my son,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“The qualification race is wide open, but Inter have one extra resource: San Siro. I can say that because I played important matches in that stadium — it gives you incredible energy, and in closely fought games, that can be decisive.

“If I had to pick one, I’d say Inter vs. Real Madrid — the 3-1 win on November 25, 1998. We won with the wind at our backs, driven on by the crowd — it was amazing. It would be great to feel that kind of atmosphere again.”