The narrow 1-0 victory at Roma has also cost Inter Milan two key players. Both midfield playmaker Hakan Calhanoglu and defender Francesco Acerbi have to sit out – exact length of absence unknown.
Lautaro Martinez made the difference on Sunday evening in the game in Rome, scoring the winning goal in the 60th minute to give his side a 1-0 lead.
Before that, Inter’s champion coach Simone Inzaghi had already had to record two failures. Both midfield director Hakan Calhanoglu (30) and defense veteran Francesco Acerbi (36) had already suffered muscular injuries in the first half.
Calhanoglu tried to bite his way through
This Monday, the Nerazzurri confirmed via a club statement that both professionals need to take a break. “Calhanoglu underwent an MRI scan at the Humanitas Clinical Institute in Rozzano this morning after being substituted in yesterday’s match at Roma. The tests revealed a hamstring strain in the left thigh.”
After the game, Coach Inzaghi had already revealed to DAZN that Calhanoglu had not been fully fit to play anyway: “He hasn’t been at his best in the last few days, so I would have given him a break tonight.” However, there were not enough alternatives available, so he was fielded. “He tried to dig in at the end, but he felt pain in his adductor area early on and stopped before it got worse.”
Acerbi also came off with the same muscular injury.
The bitter truth now: Inter Milan are not only missing the two important players in the Champions League game in Bern on Wednesday, but it also does not look like they will be playing for the two in the big Derby d’Italia against record champions Juventus on Sunday. According to media reports, the next but one Serie A game in Empoli (October 30, 6:30 p.m.) is being targeted.
At least the Lombards have a large squad. The two injured players in Rome on Sunday were replaced by the recently strong Italian national player Davide Frattesi (25) and the Dutch national player Stefan de Vrij (32).