The Lazio fans, sensing a pivotal, game-changing moment, erupted in a chorus of jeers and whistles, a cruel, triumphant symphony for the fallen Inter captain.
The medical staff rushed onto the pitch, their faces grim. Lautaro Martínez was on the ground, his face pale, biting his lip so hard it was a wonder
"THIS IS A DISASTER! A CATASTROPHE OF EPIC PROPORTIONS FOR INTER!" the commentator wailed, his voice a funereal drumbeat.
"Lautaro Martínez, their captain, their leader, their lion, is down! In the opening minutes of the most important match of their lives! You can see the devastation on the faces of his teammates! The Scudetto dream is turning into a nightmare before their very eyes!"
On the sideline, Coach Chivu's face was a mask of stone, but his eyes betrayed the storm of fury and worry raging within.
He turned to his assistant. "Get Julián warmed up. Now."
