Lautaro Martinez set for Torino bench as Inter eye May return
Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez will travel with the squad for their Serie A match against Torino on Sunday but is not expected to play, according to reports from Italy. The Argentine striker is still recovering from a calf injury, with the club reportedly targeting a return to action in their home fixture against Parma on May 3. His inclusion in the matchday squad for the trip to Turin is viewed as a procedural step, allowing him to be with his teammates on the bench.
Martinez’s absence comes at a critical juncture, with Inter having already secured the Serie A title. His fitness is nonetheless a priority as the club prepares for the upcoming trophy presentation and looks ahead to next season. In his stead, manager Simone Inzaghi is expected to start with Marcus Thuram and Pio Esposito in attack. Esposito, who recently had a wisdom tooth extracted, has returned to full training with the group.
The defensive lineup is also seeing adjustments, with German centre-back Yann Bisseck set to return to the starting eleven after recovering from his own injury issue. He is likely to be joined in defence by Manuel Akanji and Carlos Augusto, with regular starters Stefan de Vrij and Alessandro Bastoni potentially starting from the bench. The only confirmed absentee for Inter is Brazilian winger Luis Henrique, who is dealing with a muscle issue in his right thigh.
Martinez’s season has been prolific, with the 26-year-old leading the Serie A scoring charts and playing a pivotal role in Inter’s title-winning campaign. His careful management highlights Inter’s desire to avoid any setback ahead of the summer, a period where his future is likely to be a topic of intense speculation. The club’s captain has been consistently linked with a major move away from San Siro, with several Premier League clubs reportedly monitoring his situation.
For now, the focus remains on a gradual reintegration. His anticipated return against Parma would provide a fitting opportunity for the newly-crowned champions to celebrate their title in front of their home fans with their captain and top scorer back on the pitch. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining his readiness for a full pre-season, regardless of whether he remains at Inter or secures a record-breaking transfer elsewhere.
