Inter coach Simone Inzaghi is likely to rest both of Hakan Calhanoglu and Nicolo Barella in midfield for this weekend’s Serie A match against Lazio.
This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, who report that the pair are set to start on the bench as the Nerazzurri coach will not want to risk either following injury scares against Juventus in the Coppa Italia.
Whilst Inzaghi projected confidence regarding the fitness of both of Barella and Calhanoglu in his post-match remarks after Wednesday’s clash with Juventus, the pair will not necessarily be at their best in view of this weekend’s match.
On the contrary, both midfielders could still be dealing with the underlying muscular fatigue that forced them off the pitch during the second half of Wednesday’s Coppa Italia clash with the Bianconeri.
Given this, it could very well be the case that Inzaghi will decide that, despite being fully fit and available, it would not be wise to take any further risks with their fitness.
This is particularly important given that the fixture list will hardly let up for Inter, with a Serie A clash with Hellas Verona already on the way for next week in midweek, in addition to the team still competing in both the Champions League and the Coppa Italia.
As such, the coach’s decision will be very much dependent on whether or not he feels that Barella or Calhanoglu can start against the Biancocelesti without putting their availability for future matches at any risk.
According to the Corriere, the coach will err on the side of caution, and start a midfield trio of Marcelo Brozovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Roberto Gagliardini against Lazio.
The newspaper’s complete predicted starting eleven for the match is as follows:
Inter (3-5-2): Onana; Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Gagliardini, Brozovic, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Lukaku, Lautaro.