INTER MILAN hero Lautaro Martinez reveals he was sat at home crying days before the Barcelona clash.
Martinez opened the scoring at the San Siro to set up a thrilling Champions League semi-final clash, which Inter won 4-3 (7-6 aggregate).
But the Argentine talisman was in danger of missing the second leg after feeling a problem in his leg.
Martinez, 27, thanked the medical staff for their assistance in ensuring he made the game.
He also revealed he had spent days crying before overcoming the issue.
Martinez told Sky Italia: “I was struggling, my leg didn’t feel right. I spent two days crying at home, but I couldn’t miss tonight’s game.
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“I had a double session all week, I wasn’t at my best and I put a tight bandage on.
“This is how I experience football, you’ve got to give your all in these games. I promised my family that I would get on the pitch today.”
Martinez was taken off on 71 minutes, despite the match being delicately poised at 2-2 at the time of his substitution.
The striker is now set to feature in his second Champions League final for Inter – two years after his first, which ended in a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City.
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He said of reaching the final: “I am so happy, I am so proud of Inter Milan.
“I am so grateful to the fans and my family who are here today. I am so glad we are going through.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
