Lautaro Martinez to miss Milan derby as Inter confirm hamstring injury

Inter captain faces weeks on the sidelines

Inter Milan's miserable week has taken another turn for the worse, with captain Lautaro Martinez set to miss the upcoming Milan derby after suffering a hamstring strain in his left thigh.

The Argentine striker was hurt in Tuesday's 4-3 Champions League defeat to Club Brugge, despite scoring twice, and underwent clinical and instrumental tests at the Humanitas Institute in Rozzano on Thursday morning.

"Lautaro Martinez underwent clinical and instrumental tests today at the Humanitas Institute in Rozzano," read a club statement. "The tests revealed a muscle strain in the hamstrings of his left thigh."

According to Calciomercato.com, injuries of this kind rarely take less than two weeks to heal and often keep players out for three or more, meaning the Argentine could be sidelined until after the November international break.

Key fixtures at risk

The striker will certainly miss Saturday's trip to Bologna and Wednesday's Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk. Fiorentina, Venezia and the derby against Milan on 31 October follow, with Feyenoord and Como to come before the break. Inter will do everything they can to have him back for the derby, but there is little optimism. LaPresse reports the trip to Atalanta on 22 November as a more realistic target.

In his absence, Marcus Thuram, Pio Esposito and Ange-Yoan Bonny will be expected to step up and shoulder the attacking burden.

Martinez has been in prolific form this term, registering four goals in five Serie A 2026-27 appearances before the injury, underlining just how sorely he will be missed during a congested fixture list.