Valentino Lazaro’s thigh injury will make it harder for the midfielder to learn Antonio Conte’s style of play, Gazzetta dello Sport reported this morning.

Lazaro is expected to miss all three of Inter’s prestige friendlies in Asia as well as the match with Tottenham on 4 August, meaning he cannot return until the final preseason game against Valencia.

He becomes the second first-team player to suffer a thigh injury during the first fortnight of training, with Matteo Politano trying to recover to play Paris Saint-Germain next weekend.

“Lazaro showcased good technique in tight spaces against Lugano last week, as well as an ability to run with the ball at his feet,” Gazzetta recalled.

“Conte opted to start with Antonio Candreva, though, because the Austrian needs to be educated tactically and defensively.”

Lazaro’s teammates completed another tough double session yesterday as Inter prepare to play Manchester United in the International Champions Cup tomorrow.

Fitness coach Antonio Pintus oversaw athletic exercises before Conte directed a series of tactical drills and a match scenario.