Inter could be without two important players for Saturday’s Serie A showdown against Roma after Hakan Calhanoglu and John Stones suffered muscular problems.
Calhanoglu underwent medical examinations on Tuesday morning after missing Inter’s latest match. Tests confirmed an adductor injury in his right thigh, leaving his availability for the trip to the Stadio Olimpico uncertain.
Inter announced the diagnosis through an official statement.
“Hakan Çalhanoğlu underwent medical tests this morning at the Humanitas Clinical Institute in Rozzano,” the club stated. “The examinations revealed muscular discomfort in the adductor of his right thigh. His condition will be assessed over the coming days.”
No precise recovery timetable has been provided. The Turkish midfielder will continue to be monitored before Cristian Chivu makes a final decision regarding his involvement against Roma.
John Stones awaits tests after muscular injury
Inter are also concerned about the condition of John Stones.
The English defender was forced to leave the field after suffering a muscular problem while sprinting during the match against Udinese.
According to Sky Sport, the initial concern is a possible hamstring strain. Stones is expected to undergo further examinations to establish the extent of the injury and determine whether he has any chance of recovering for Saturday.
With only a few days remaining before the match, both Stones and Calhanoglu must be considered doubtful.
Their potential absences would deprive Chivu of an important defensive option and the midfielder who normally dictates Inter’s possession from the centre of the pitch.
How Inter could line up against Roma
Josep Martínez is expected to start in goal, with Yann Bisseck, Manuel Akanji and Alessandro Bastoni forming the back three if Stones is unavailable.
Andy Diouf and Federico Dimarco are the leading candidates for the wing-back positions.
Should Calhanoglu fail to recover, Piotr Zieliński could join Nicolò Barella and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in midfield. Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram are expected to continue together in attack.
Possible Inter XI (3-5-2): Martínez; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Diouf, Barella, Zieliński, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Lautaro Martínez, Thuram.
Doubts: Hakan Calhanoglu, John Stones.
Chivu is expected to receive more definitive information after Stones completes his medical tests and Inter assess Calhanoglu’s progress in training.
Roma prepare for early Scudetto test
Roma will enter the match with maximum points after defeating Torino 2-0 on Monday.
Gasperini’s team have won their opening four Serie A fixtures and nine consecutive league matches dating back to last season. Inter remain the standard against which Roma’s title credentials will be measured, regardless of which players Chivu has available.
The highly anticipated match has already sold out 10 days before kickoff, with more than 60,000 supporters expected at the Olimpico.
Roma vs Inter kicks off on Saturday, September 19, at 18:00 CEST.
Sources: Inter, Sky Sport
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