Participating in three competitions is a source of pride for Inter Milan, but it takes a toll, especially on the physical condition of the squad, which has had minimal recovery time since the beginning of the year. This season, Inter has faced three significant injury crises: initially in defense, then in midfield, and currently, a shortage of wing-backs, with Denzel Dumfries being the exception. Consequently, Alessandro Bastoni has filled in as a left wing-back in the recent matches.
Carlos Augusto’s return against Monza provided some relief, but Federico Dimarco, the usual starter, might need more time before his definite return date is established. It will be determined between tomorrow and Wednesday whether Dimarco can join the team for the Sunday night game against Atalanta. Hopes for his complete recovery are slim. Dimarco is expected to be called up by Inzaghi but might only be able to play for about 15-20 minutes. Subsequently, he will join the Italian national team, where the national team’s medical staff will manage his fitness and decide his usage.
Marcus Thuram is another player who has been playing through pain. Inter coach Inzaghi admitted that Thuram hasn’t been training at 100% due to an ankle issue that has bothered him for a month. Rest would be the ideal solution, but the congested schedule and crucial matches have forced Inzaghi to ask for extra effort from Thuram, who has been playing with painkillers and injections. The international break won’t necessarily mean rest for him either, as he is expected to be called up by France, and his condition will be assessed after that.
Inter understandably aims to avoid any conflicts and will communicate with both federations to understand how they plan to manage these two players. Notably, the Italian national team will train at Inter’s training ground from Monday, 17th to Thursday, facilitating direct communication between the parties. When questioned about this, Inzaghi downplayed any potential issues, stating his primary focus is on the upcoming match and emphasizing Inter’s excellent relationship with both the French and Italian federations. The situation remains to be seen.