Inter Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu and defender Francesco Acerbi are unlikely to return in time for Wednesday’s Serie A clash with Empoli.
This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews.
Inter are currently missing three players due to injury.
Wingback Carlos Augusto should be out for a couple more weeks at the very least with a thigh injury.
Meanwhile, Tajon Buchanan was in his first matchday squad of the season yesterday after recovering from a leg break.
But the most consequential absences have been those of midfielder Calhanoglu and defender Acerbi.
Calhanoglu and Acerbi are undoubtedly key players in Inter’s first-choice starting eleven.
And the Nerazzurri felt both of their absences against Juventus yesterday.
The four goals that Inter conceded in the wild 4-4 Serie A draw were a testament to both a lack of defensive solidity in their penalty area, and a lack of midfield control.
Therefore, Inter will certainly be hoping to get both Calhanoglu and Acerbi back sooner rather than later.
Hakan Calhanoglu & Francesco Acerbi Unlikely To Be Back For Empoli Vs Inter Serie A Showdown
Inter’s next match is only a couple days away.
The fixture list is becoming absolutely frenetic at this stage of the season. Having just faced Juventus yesterday, Inter have another Serie A match on the way in midweek.
On Wednesday, Inter travel to Tuscany to face Empoli.
Empoli have been one of the form teams of the season thus far, outperforming expectations that they’d be among the prime candidates for relegation.
Naturally, Inter coach Simone Inzaghi would like a full squad for that match.
But the Nerazzurri coach is hardly going to rush important players back.
In the case of both Calhanoglu and Acerbi, returns are not too far on the horizon.
Both have a good chance of being back for next weekend’s Serie A match against Venezia.
Then, there are huge matches against Arsenal in the Champions League and Napoli in Serie A on the way. Those could be the matches where Calhanoglu and Acerbi targeting being back to their best.
But Inter should have to cope without both for at least one more match on Wednesday.
