Striker Martin Satriano and defender Zinho Vanheusden missed Inter Milan’s first friendly of preseason against Lugano due to fitness concerns.

This according to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, via FCInterNews.

Today, Inter played their first friendly of the preseason period for the 2024-25 campaign.

The Nerazzurri took on Lugano in a closed-doors friendly match.

This has been Inter’s traditional first friendly match of preseason for some time.

The Nerazzurri won by a 3-2 scoreline. Joaquin Correa scored their first goal, whilst new signing Mehdi Taremi got on the scoresheet twice to complete a comeback.

But more important than the result of the friendly was the fact that Inter’s squad got the chance to get on the pitch after spending the past few days working in training.

Satriano & Vanheusden Miss Inter Vs Lugano Friendly Due To Fitness Concerns

New signings like Taremi and Josep Martinez started for Inter. That was certainly significant.

For the past few days – since Inter’s squad returned to training on Saturday – the focus has been more on getting back into physical condition after the holidays.

Therefore, the match against Lugano was the first opportunity for new players as well as more familiar signings to get out on the pitch and start getting some tactical chemistry together.

There were also quite a few big names absent from the lineup against Lugano.

The majority of Inter’s squad is still away on holiday after their international duty at either the Euros or the Copa America.

However, that meant that there was a chance for a few younger players to get out on the pitch against Lugano.

The younger players, or players who have been on the fringes of Inter’s squad, have had the chance to work with coach Simone Inzaghi since the start of the weekend.

However, reports Sky, there were two notable absentees.

One was striker Martin Satriano. And another was defender Zinho Vanheusden.

Sky reports that the problem for both of the young pair was some fitness concerns.

Both Satriano and Vanheusden are players who look very likely to leave Inter this summer.

Therefore, it would hardly be helpful if either were to pick up an injury in the friendly match against Lugano.