Hakan Calhanoglu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are being forced to work overtime for Inter Milan due to the relentless fixture list.

Today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, highlight the difficult situation and lack of a real backup for the pair.

Inter Milan are just about ready to return from the international break.

And it will be straight back into the fire for the Nerazzurri.

The first match back is a Serie A clash with Udinese this Sunday. Then, Inter are immediately back in action against AC Milan in the Coppa Italia next Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Nerazzurri have a two-legged Champions League quarterfinal tie against Bayern Munich to navigate.

Calhanoglu & Mkhitaryan “Working Overtime” For Inter Milan

Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi will rotate his team as much as he can throughout this punishing fixture list.

But there are a couple players who the Nerazzurri coach may find he has little option but to rely upon.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan Inter Milan
NAPLES, ITALY – MARCH 01: Henrikh Mkhitaryan of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between Napoli and FC Internazionale at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on March 01, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Midfielders Hakan Calhanoglu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are vital cogs in Inter’s midfield trio.

Italian international Nicolo Barella is as well. But in Barella’s case, Davide Frattesi is in the squad to give him a rest at times.

Calhanoglu’s main backup is Kristjan Asllani.

However, Asllani will be suspended for upcoming matches against Milan and Bayern. Therefore, Calhanoglu will have to grit it out and keep playing.

Meanwhile, Mkhitaryan’s main backup in the Inter squad is former Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski. However, Zielinski is on the sidelines with a calf injury for at least a few more weeks.