Inter will be waiting for updates on the fitness of defender Stefan de Vrij for the matches immediately after the international break, but will be able to rely on Alessandro Bastoni to be available.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, who report that the Dutchman is a doubt to be able to play against Napoli and Shakhtar Donetsk after he picked up an injury with the Dutch national team.
De Vrij pulled up with a muscle problem towards the end of the Netherlands’ match against Montenegro on Saturday, but the initial tests carried out did not reveal the full extent of the problem.
However, the 29-year-old is set to return to Italy today, and he will immediately undergo an MRI which should reveal the full extent of the muscle injury and also give an idea on recovery times.
Should de Vrij not be able to return to the pitch in time for the Serie A clash on Sunday, then Alessandro Bastoni could take his place in the centre of defense.
Bastoni is back in Milan after having left the Italian national team early due to fatigue to his adductor, but the 22-year-old will be fully fit for the Napoli clash.
The 22-year-old could play in de Vrij’s normal role in the centre of the back three against Napoli and Shakhtar should the Dutchman be unavailable, in which case Federico Dimarco would play in Bastoni’s normal role on the left of the defense.
The more probable solution should de Vrij not be fit, however, remains having Andrea Ranocchia fill in for him in the centre of the defense.
