There is still faint hope that Nicolo Barella could take to the field for Inter tonight in their final UEFA Champions League group stage match at home to Shakhtar Donetsk according to a report in today’s print edition of Italian daily newspaper Corriere dello Sport.
Following training on Monday, Barella left Inter’s training facility on crutches after picking up an ankle injury. The examinations ruled out any form of fracture and he was able to walk again yesterday as the pain had reduced as had the swelling in the injured area.
Despite being in a better condition yesterday than he was after training on Monday, Barella did not participate in Inter’s final training session ahead of today’s match. His condition will be assessed again today.
His chances of recovering from the injury are however remote, barring any sort of miracle. There would be a lot of risk attached to playing him seeing as it could hurt the ankle joint itself and he could be more susceptible to a muscle injury due to the fact he could run badly due to the pain he is dealing with.