There is cautious optimism that Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu will be fit and available for Sunday afternoon’s Serie A match against Lazio.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, who report that the 29-year-old gave reassuring signs to the club’s medical staff despite having to be substituted off with a physical problem against Juventus in the Coppa Italia yesterday.
Inter coach Simone Inzaghi will be holding his breath regarding the condition of Calhanoglu after yesterday’s win over Juventus.
The former AC Milan man came off the pitch late on, substitute off for Roberto Gagliardini, and a report suggested that a thigh injury may have been the reason.
Particularly given that Calhanoglu had already missed four matches with a thigh problem earlier this month, a similar injury could be a worrying sign for the run-in, and a dark spot on an otherwise excellent evening for the Nerazzurri.
Inzaghi did not seem to be too concerned after the match, however, as the 47-year-old addressed the subject of both Calhanoglu and fellow midfielder Nicolo Barella’s conditions in his postmatch remarks.
According to the coach, both of Calhanoglu and Barella had been suffering from some fatigue which made it necessary for them to come off the pitch, but it was nothing worse than this.
However, there has still been a bit of a wait for confirmation regarding the condition of Calhanoglu in particular.
Inzaghi will want to know whether the Turkish international, who has become an absolutely pivotal player for Inter in every sense this season, will be available as early as this Sunday’s match at home to Lazio, a key match in the Nerazzurri’s pursuit of a top four spot in Serie A.
According to the Gazzetta, there is cautious optimism that the 29-year-old will be able to return to the pitch very promptly.
