Inter Milan wingback Denzel Dumfries could get a rest in tomorrow evening’s Champions League match against Red Bull Salzburg.
This according to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, via FCInterNews.
Since the return from the October international break, one player who has gotten a lot of minutes on the pitch has been Dutch international wingback Dumfries.
Particularly with Juan Cuadrado out with an injury in the past several minutes, the 27-year-old has had to feature regularly.
And this has not been without its physical toll for Dumfries.
The wingback role is one of the most physically demanding in Inter coach Simone Inzaghi’s formation.
Playing on the flanks means covering a lot of ground up and down the side of the pitch.
Therefore, Inzaghi tends to rotate in the position a lot. Whether this means in terms of the starting lineups, or allowing players to catch their breath later on in matches with substitutions.
But that hasn’t been as easy to do in recent matches, at least on the right side of the pitch.
Therefore, Sky reports, Dumfries is dealing with some fatigue.
With just over 24 hours to go before tomorrow’s match, Inzaghi will have a decision to make.
There are doubts about whether Dumfries is in proper condition to start. And if he does play, there could be a risk of physical burnout, or even injury.
Denzel Dumfries Could Be Rest In Champions League Clash Vs Red Bull Salzburg
If Inzaghi does decide that Dumfries needs a rest from the start tomorrow, the coach would have some other decisions to make.
Given that Juan Cuadrado still won’t be available, there is only one natural backup for Dumfries.
That is former Manchester United and Torino veteran Matteo Darmian.
And the versatile Darmian would also be needed elsewhere on the pitch.
Benjamin Pavard is currently out with an injury. That means that Darmian is the main starter on the right side of the back three as things stand.
That could mean that Inzaghi decides to give Yann Bisseck his first start of the season.
The young German defender has yet to get a start for Inter.
In fact, Bisseck has only received a handful of minutes off the bench so far this season.
But the situation with injuries and Dumfries’s fitness may force Inzaghi’s hand.
The coach could decide to leave Dumfries out of the starting eleven. Then, Darmian would be the player to take his place on the right flank.
In this case, Bisseck would be the main candidate to start on the right side of the back three.
