Inter Milan will not take any risks with the fitness of defender Alessandro Bastoni, who is therefore a doubt for the team’s Serie A match against Napoli.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.
Inter defender Bastoni had received a call-up for the Italy squad during the international break.
However, the 24-year-old did not play any part for the Azzurri as they secured a spot at EURO 2024 in qualifiers against the likes of North Macedonia and Ukraine.
The reason for this was injury. Bastoni picked up a calf problem in the first couple of days of training with Italy.
Initial medical tests indicated a muscle strain to the Inter defender’s right calf.
Therefore there has been some uncertainty regarding a recovery timeline for Bastoni.
Obviously the defender is not a player who Inter coach Simone Inzaghi will want to be without for long.
Bastoni is a key man in Inter’s back three.
And Inter face Juventus in the Derby d’Italia next weekend in their first match back from the break.
That match sees first and second in the table go head-to-head. And with just a couple points separating the Nerazzurri and the Bianconeri, it has the air of a potential title-decider.
Inter Defender Alessandro Bastoni Could Miss Napoli Clash
Clearly, missing Bastoni for the match against Juventus will be a big blow for Inter.
But that may not be the only big match against a title rival that the Nerazzurri have to do without the 24-year-old for.
The weekend after, Inter travel to Campania to face Napoli.
Whilst the Partenopei have struggled in recent weeks, leading to the sacking of Rudi Garcia as coach, they remain Italian champions.
There’s little doubt that the match away in Naples will be a big test of Inter’s title credentials.
And there is no certainty that Bastoni will be back in time to play a part.
What looks beyond doubt is that the Italian international will be out not just for this Sunday’s match against Juventus but also for the midweek clash with Benfica in the Champions League.
Beyond that, though, there will also be doubt as to whether or not Bastoni can be back in time to face Napoli.
In any event, Inter will not take risks with Bastoni’s fitness.
If there is not 100% confidence in the 24-year-old’s condition, he will not be in the squad to face Napoli.
