Radja Nainggolan was visibly unfit during the game against Barcelona and will most likely not be ready for Atalanta either according to a report from Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Back in record time from a sprained left ankle, since the Derby on October 21, causing him to miss the first leg at Camp Nou. The Belgian expressed a great desire to play in the second leg at all costs, but his return was rushed and his condition was nowhere near optimal,” the report reads.
The ankle has been deemed healed by Inter’s medical staff, who have done a great job, but being match fit is a different issue and still far away. A few minutes on the field would no doubt help, but as long as he is not in top form, it should be considered a risk to start him.
After Atalanta there is an international break, before Inter return to play Frosinone at San Siro on Saturday 24 November. As a result, the likelihood of resting him or at least using him as a substitute is a strong possibility, given the reliability of Inter’s depth so far this season. Both Borja Valero and Joao Mario who have been used in the last two games by Luciano Spalletti, are valid options. They might not have the physicality of the Ninja, but they help Inter in other areas.
