Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni will start on the bench in Saturday’s Serie A match against Udinese.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.
What looks certain is that Bastoni will be in Inter’s squad for this weekend’s match.
The 24-year-old has missed out on the last three matches that the Nerazzurri have played since the return from the November international break.
Bastoni was not even fit enough to make the bench for matches away to Juventus and Napoli in Serie A, or Benfica in the Champions League.
The Italian international has been suffering from a calf injury.
That injury was sustained in training during the international break with Italy. Bastoni also missed out on both of the Azzurri’s Euro 2024 qualifiers during the break.
But Bastoni has now recovered from his injury.
The former Parma and Atalanta defender is back in training today.
Inter Defender Alessandro Bastoni To Start On The Bench Vs Udinese
The return of Bastoni is certainly good news for Inter on a number of levels.
The 24-year-old being back can ease Inter’s injury crisis in defense somewhat.
On Sunday against Napoli, Carlos Augusto had to play in the back three in order to allow Francesco Acerbi to move into the centre after an injury to Stefan de Vrij.
The left-footed Bastoni is the first-choice option on the left when fit.
Therefore, with the 24-year-old fit and available, Inter coach Simone Inzaghi can put out a back three that is less makeshift than the one that ended up seeing out the majority of the match against Napoli.
But Bastoni won’t be straight back into the starting eleven, the Gazzetta reports.
The Italian will still need a bit of time to regain full match-fitness.
Therefore, Bastoni will only be on the bench against Udinese on Saturday.
Then, the newspaper anticipates, the 24-year-old should return to the starting eleven against Real Sociedad in the Champions League next week.
