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Why Lautaro Martinez 'spent two days crying' as Inter's Champions League semi-final hero vs Barcelona reveals he had his whole family worried & his mum frantically calling him

LaLiga

Espanyol

Barcelona

Serie A

Inter

Lazio

<p>Martinez strained his thigh during the first half of Inter's 3-3 draw with Barcelona at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys and had to be substituted during the break. He missed out on several training sessions in the days after, before making a surprise return to team activities on Monday and ultimately earning a start for the second leg of the semi-final tie at San Siro. Now <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/inter-milan-hero-lautaro-martinez-admits-he-cried-over-injury-before-champions-league-clash-vs-barcelona/" target="_blank">he's opened up </a>about the mental toll of the injury and the worry it caused his family.</p><br><p></p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Martinez's rapid recovery in time for the second leg was labelled a '<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/inter-forward-miracle-recovery-ready-champions-league-barcelona-defender-miss-suffering-training-set-back/bltaf143f2458ee40dc#csc8c5863bb1c8c14d" target="_blank">miracle</a>', and he proved crucial in helping defeat Hansi Flick's Barca side and secure passage into a second Champions League final in three years for Inter, scoring the opener and winning a penalty that put the Milan club two goals up at half time. Inter eventually won the game 4-3 after extra-time to win the tie 7-6 on aggregate.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Martinez told <em>Sky Sports</em>: “I was struggling a bit—I couldn’t even lift my leg. I spent the first two days after the injury in Barcelona crying at home. I did double training sessions all week and tried to recover. A tight bandage and straight onto the field. That’s just how I am. In games like this, you have to be there. I cried with my wife and kids at home, but I promised them I'd play. Even my mom was worried - she called me all morning, but I didn't answer because she suffers so much."</p><br>

WHAT MARTINEZ SAID

<p>Martinez will now be desperate to prepare himself physically for a historic Champions League final against either Arsenal or PSG. The 2023-24 <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/time-prove-lionel-messi-right-lautaro-martinez-potential-ballon-dor-winner-patchy-inter-form/bltbc68d1978edece8f" target="_blank">Serie A top scorer and title winner</a> suffered a devastating defeat in the 2023 final versus Man City, and he'll be doing everything he can to avoid the same fate this year.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR INTER?

Why Lautaro Martinez 'spent two days crying' as Inter's Champions League semi-final hero vs Barcelona reveals he had his whole family worried & his mum frantically calling him | Goal.com

Lautaro Martinez has revealed he &quot;spent two days crying&quot; after going off injured in the first leg of Inter&apos;s Champions League clash with Barcelona.

Why Lautaro Martinez &apos;spent two days crying&apos; as Inter&apos;s Champions League semi-final hero vs Barcelona reveals he had his whole family worried &amp; his mum frantically calling him

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