Inter Milan midfielder won’t want to return from injury too early against Man City as he had done in last season’s Europa Conference League final with Roma.
This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews. The Newspaper note that the Armenian will be wary of making the same mistake that he had made in last season’s final against Feyenoord.
In some respects, Mkhitaryan’s situation heading into the Champions League final is parallel to that of twelve months ago.
Last season, the Armenian was racing against time to be fit for the Europa Conference League final.
Mkhitaryan had been a key player for Roma as he is now for Inter. Therefore, getting the former Arsenal and Man United man back was always a priority for the Giallorossi.
Mkhitaryan did start the final against Feyenoord.
However, the Armenian had to come off as a substitute only seventeen minutes into the match. Whilst he had done everything to be on the pitch, Mkhitaryan had evidently aggravated his muscle injury.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan Won’t Want To Make Same Mistake Vs Man City
Accordingly, this could give Mkhitaryan pause ahead of the upcoming Champions League final against City.
The 34-year-old wants to be fit enough to start on Saturday.
Considering he’s made 48 appearances for Inter across all competitions this season and started every Champions League knockout match, it’s not hard to see why this is the case.
As such, all eyes are on the former Giallorossi and Arsenal star’s recovery.
There’s little doubt if any that Mkhitaryan will be part of the Nerazzurri’s squad against City. He is back in training and ready to get back out on the pitch.
However, at the same time there are one or two questions about his match-fitness.
The last thing that Inter coach Simone Inzaghi wants is for Mkhitaryan to start the match and then come off early on.