Lautaro Martinez is set to return to full training with Inter Milan on Monday and will be available for selection for this weekend's potential Serie A title-clinching match against Parma, according to reports from Italy. The Argentine striker has been sidelined for several weeks with a calf injury but is now clinically recovered and will be gradually reintegrated into the squad.
His return is timed perfectly for Inter, who could mathematically secure their 20th Scudetto at San Siro on Sunday depending on other results. Regardless of the precise timing, the club is poised to celebrate its first league title on home soil since 1989. Martinez, the team's captain and current Serie A top scorer with 16 goals, is eager to participate in the festivities after missing the recent victory away to Torino, where he watched from the bench.
Manager Daniele Chivu is expected to manage Martinez's minutes carefully, likely giving him a portion of the match against Parma, either from the start or as a second-half substitute. The primary objective is to have the striker fully fit and sharp for the Coppa Italia final against Lazio in Rome on May 13th. Martinez is reportedly focused on an ambitious personal goal: to become only the second Inter striker, after his compatriot Diego Milito in 2010, to complete the domestic double of Serie A and Coppa Italia in the same season.
Despite missing eight matches due to injury over the past two and a half months, Martinez has maintained a commanding lead in the Capocannoniere race, outpacing teammates and rivals alike. His absence was mitigated by the form of Marcus Thuram, who contributed five goals and two assists in the last four league games. Martinez's scoring rate this season, with four more goals than last campaign in five fewer appearances, underscores his vital importance to Inter's successful title charge.
The plan following the Parma match is for Martinez to gain further match fitness in the final league game against Lazio on May 9th, which serves as a dress rehearsal for the cup final at the same stadium. After the cup final, both Martinez and other international players are expected to be rested for Inter's final two league matches against Verona and Bologna, as the season's primary objectives will have been concluded. His impending return provides a significant boost as Inter looks to cap a dominant domestic campaign with a second trophy.
