Inter loses star player during demanding stretch of season

Inter captain Lautaro Martínez diagnosed with left thigh flexor muscle strain; could miss up to seven matches including the Milan derby.

Inter Milan announced Thursday that captain Lautaro Martínez has suffered a left thigh flexor muscle strain, confirmed by clinical tests at Humanitas Institute in Rozzano. The injury occurred after he scored twice in Inter's 4-3 home loss to Brugge in the Champions League. Martínez could miss up to seven fixtures across Serie A and European competition over the coming weeks, including high-profile matches against Bologna, Fiorentina, AC Milan, and Shaktar Donetsk. If recovery proceeds as planned, he is expected to return after the international break on November 9.