As reported by Italian media, Inter Milan will have to do without Denzel Dumfries for longer than expected. The decisive Champions League and Coppa Italia matches will probably take place without the Dutchman.
When April rolls around, the much-discussed “weeks of truth” are repeatedly mentioned in the European top leagues and cup competitions. After all, all major competitions at these latitudes are in the final stages, while Inter Milan has to do without Denzel Dumfries for longer than expected at an inconvenient time.
As reported by the Gazzetta dello Sport on Friday, the Dutch international’s recovery time has been revised upwards once again. According to the Italian daily newspaper, a realistic date for a return would be the Serie A game against Roma at the end of April. This would mean that the Milan regular would miss the two Champions League quarter-finals against Bayern Munich, who have also been hit by injuries.
Shortly after the injury in mid-March, hopes of an immediate return by Dumfries were dashed. It became clear that, contrary to initial reports, he would not only miss the international break, but at least the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final against Milan. The two city rivals drew 1-1 in the absence of the 28-year-old, who could now be forced to watch from the sidelines at the second leg on April 23.
Not only sporting problems
The situation for the Nerazzurri is not only unsatisfactory in sporting terms. The “Dumfries case”, as the Gazzetta calls it, is also causing irritation. Dumfries himself insisted on staying on the pitch after suffering a muscular thigh injury, possibly making the injury worse in the important 2-0 win in Bergamo. “He was in a bit of pain, he was quiet. He wanted to stay on the pitch, but he didn’t realize that I had already substituted him,” commented coach Simone Inzaghi after the game.
In addition, there are uncertainties in the diagnosis. The first examination of the right back in the group of 11 took place on the day after the injury, which is earlier than usual for muscle injuries. Therefore, the expected downtime has been adjusted and is now longer.
