Back pain, Lautaro skips training session and is doubtful for the Ajax match

Warning signs have emerged at Appiano Gentile on the eve of Inter’s long-awaited return to the Champions League.

Lautaro Martínez, the team’s captain and attacking leader, was forced to skip the final training session this morning due to back pain, just hours before the Nerazzurri departed for Amsterdam to face Ajax in their group-stage opener. The Argentine striker, who is usually the heartbeat of Inter’s frontline, limited himself to gym work instead of joining his teammates on the pitch, raising serious doubts about his availability for tomorrow’s crucial match.

The news is somewhat softened by the fact that Lautaro will still travel with the squad to the Netherlands. His presence on the plane suggests that the club has not yet ruled him out completely, and that the medical staff will continue to monitor his condition until the very last moment. However, it is clear that he is now doubtful, and whether he can start or even feature from the bench remains uncertain. Inter head coach Cristian Chivu is expected to address the situation at a press conference scheduled for 7 p.m., where he may provide further clarity.

The concerns over Lautaro are compounded by the confirmed absence of Matteo Darmian. The versatile wing-back, a reliable figure in Inter’s system, is suffering from lower back pain and has not been able to train for the past two days. Unlike Lautaro, he will not travel with the team to Amsterdam and is officially ruled out of the match. Darmian’s absence reduces Inter’s options on the flanks, adding to the headaches for Chivu as he prepares for a high-stakes European clash.

Should Lautaro fail to recover in time, Chivu will be forced into a significant decision regarding his attacking setup. Marcus Thuram is almost certain to lead the line, but the identity of his strike partner remains uncertain. The options are Bonny and Pio Esposito, two promising young forwards who have impressed in training but are yet to make their mark on the Champions League stage. For either player, being thrust into the spotlight at the Johan Cruyff Arena would represent not only a huge challenge but also a unique opportunity to showcase their potential in one of football’s grandest competitions.

The dilemma highlights how central Lautaro has become to Inter’s European ambitions. Last season, the Argentine had his most prolific campaign in the Champions League, scoring nine goals in fourteen appearances and proving decisive on several occasions. His leadership, movement, and clinical finishing were vital in carrying Inter deep into the tournament, and he enters this season with even greater responsibility as captain. Losing him, even temporarily, would be a major setback.

There is also the question of tactics. Chivu may be tempted to adjust the system in Lautaro’s absence, perhaps reinforcing the midfield or introducing an extra wide player to support Thuram as a lone striker. Such a change would not be unprecedented, but at this stage it remains pure speculation. In truth, much will depend on how Lautaro responds to treatment over the next 24 hours. His history of playing through pain cannot be ignored: he has often gritted his teeth and led the line despite physical discomfort, with last season’s Champions League semifinal second leg against Barcelona serving as a prime example. On that occasion, his determination to feature proved decisive, and Inter will be hoping for a similar outcome this time.

The stakes could not be higher. Inter’s trip to Amsterdam marks their first test in a demanding Champions League group, and starting with a positive result away from home would give them crucial momentum. Ajax, though not as dominant as in past years, remain a formidable opponent in their own stadium, backed by passionate support and a tradition of strong European performances. Going into such a match without their captain and one of the most reliable scorers in European football would undeniably make the challenge tougher.

For Inter fans, the next few hours will be filled with nervous anticipation. They know that with Lautaro on the pitch, the team plays with a different level of confidence and cutting edge. His partnership with Thuram has blossomed into one of Serie A’s most dangerous attacking duos, and the thought of breaking that rhythm so early in the European campaign is unsettling. Still, the emergence of youngsters like Bonny and Esposito could offer a silver lining, giving the Nerazzurri a glimpse of their future while testing the squad’s depth on the biggest stage.

What remains certain is that Inter’s Champions League opener has taken on an extra layer of intrigue. Will Lautaro recover in time to lead his side in Amsterdam, or will the captain’s armband pass into the hands of another for one of the most important nights of the season so far? Chivu’s words later this evening, and Lautaro’s condition tomorrow, will hold the answers. Until then, Inter approach their European debut with hope, caution, and a reminder that in football, nothing is ever guaranteed.