Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu is not likely to be in the starting eleven for tomorrow evening’s Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Benfica despite being back fit.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, who report that it should be Marcelo Brozovic who starts ahead of the Turkish international as the Nerazzurri aim to secure their spot in the semifinals of Europe’s top club competition.
After Calhanoglu had picked up a thigh strain during the Turkish international team’s EURO 2024 qualifier against Croatia, it was considered to be something of a race against time to get the former AC Milan man back fit for the Champions League tie against Benfica.
Calhanoglu has established himself as a vital player in the Nerazzurri’s starting eleven this season, making 38 appearances so far across all competitions.
The 29-year-old is back fit and available, having come off the bench against Monza over the weekend.
However, there will be no rush to get him back into the starting eleven tomorrow, specifically because of the form of Marcelo Brozovic, the man who Calhanoglu had displaced from the starting eleven.
It has been a difficult campaign for Brozovic, whose form has dipped due to a couple long-term injuries.
However, the 30-year-old Croatian international gave a massive response with his performance against Benfica in the first leg last week, and it is anticipated that he will be trusted to follow it up with another start against the Portuguese league leaders in the second leg.
Meanwhile, defender Stefan de Vrij will have his fitness for tomorrow’s match determined in medical tests today, after the 31-year-old former Lazio and Feyenoord man picked up a minor ankle injury against Monza over the weekend.
As for Milan Skriniar, the 28-year-old is still out with a back injury and will not be called up for tomorrow evening’s match.
