Inter Milan forward Alexis Sanchez has returned to the pitch, playing ninety minutes for Chile against Colombia yesterday.
The 34-year-old gave a demonstration of his growing match-fitness with his performance, whilst Nerazzurri wingback Juan Cuadrado did not play in the World Cup qualifier.
Sanchez returned to Inter towards the end of the summer transfer window.
The Chilean came back twelve months after leaving via the same route, on a free transfer.
Sanchez had spent the 2022-23 season with Marseille in Ligue 1. There were few questions about the veteran former Arsenal, Manchester United, and Barcelona forward’s fitness there as he played virtually every match for the French giants.
However, when Sanchez arrived at Inter this summer, he did so lacking some match-fitness.
The reason for this was that the 34-year-old had not had a full preseason.
Sanchez had been training individually since leaving Marseille at the end of his contract. Without being able to get on the pitch with other players, the Chilean naturally lacked some sharpness and conditioning.
Alexis Sanchez Back In Action For Chile Vs Colombia
Sanchez has not yet made a matchday squad for Inter.
And on the international break, the 34-year-old had not appeared in Chile’s first World Cup qualifying match against Uruguay.
This was not only due to a general lack of match-fitness, but also suspected mild anemia. Medical tests revealed low hemoglobin levels for the veteran forward.
However, Sanchez started for La Roja in yesterday’s World Cup qualifier against Colombia, a 0-0 draw.
It was hardly a vintage performance from the Chilean. He was not able to really get at the Colombia backline or show his class as the two South Americans played out a fairly turgid goalless draw.
But the fact that Sanchez had the fitness to play from the first to last whistle was certainly an encouraging sign.
Now, the Chilean should be in Inter’s matchday squad for the derby against AC Milan this weekend.
And from there, it’s not hard to imagine that Sanchez should start making appearances for Inter again – whether from the start or from the bench – in the not-too-distant future.
Meanwhile, Inter wingback Juan Cuadrado did not appear for Colombia in yesterday’s match.
The 35-year-old is reportedly suffering from mild tendinitis. Cuadrado was on the bench for Colombia, but Inter will not mind seeing him sit the match out so that he can rest and regain fitness prior to returning to training with his club.
