Defender Stefan de Vrij has suffered a thigh problem during Inter Milan’s preseason friendly match against Al-Ittihad.
This according to Italian news outlet FCInterNews. De Vrij looks set to join the likes of Mehdi Taremi, Marko Arnautovic, and Piotr ZIelinski on the sidelines with muscle problems.
This evening, Inter faced Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad in their fifth friendly match of preseason.
The Nerazzurri were disappointed to lose the match 0-2. But in truth, the result of the match mattered little considering that it was a preseason friendly encounter.
Rather, Inter were looking to use the match against Al-Ittihad as an opportunity to gain physical condition and tactical chemistry ahead of the start of the Serie A campaign in a little over a week.
There were, however, a few problems in that regard.
Inter’s performance was far from polished. There is no doubt that the team still have plenty of work to do in training before the start of the new season.
And even more worryingly, Inter can add another injury problem to a growing list.
Stefan De Vrij Out With Thigh Problem In Inter Vs Al-Ittihad Friendly
Former Lazio defender de Vrij did not start this evening’s match.
Rather, the 32-year-old replaced his fellow ex-Biancocelesti veteran Francesco Acerbi. He came on in the 63rd minute of the friendly clash.
Then, de Vrij played out a half an hour.
But in the 93rd minute, during stoppage time, de Vrij pulled up with some discomfort in his thigh.
The Dutchman was holding his left thigh as he came off the pitch.
This is clearly a concern. It is still far from clear what the actual problem would be for de Vrij – but there did appear to be some muscular discomfort.
Therefore, de Vrij should undergo medical tests in the next day or two.
De Vrij was not substituted, considering the match against Al-Ittihad was virtually at its end. Rather, Inter simply finished the match with ten men after he came off.
