Argentina, Turkey & Iran Stars All Pushing To Be Fit For Inter Milan Serie A Opener Vs Genoa

Lautaro Martinez, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Mehdi Taremi are all pushing to be fit for Inter Milan’s Serie A opener against Genoa.

Today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, report that the trio won’t be part of today’s friendly against Chelsea, but are aiming to be ready for next weekend.

Inter take on Chelsea this afternoon in their final friendly match of the preseason period.

The Nerazzurri are in London where they’ll face the Premier League giants. And then, their next match will be against Genoa as they kick off their Serie A title defense.

For Inter, there is a certain sense that there is still a massive amount of work to do to get ready for the start of competitive action.

Inter have been in preseason training for around a month. However, the squad has not been complete for that entire time.

Players have been filtering back to training following extended vacations, based around their participation in EURO 2024 and the Copa America with their national teams.

But the next few days before the beginning of the Serie A season will be crucial ones for Inter to sprint towards top condition.

Lautaro, Calhanoglu & Taremi Out For Chelsea Friendly – Targeting Genoa Clash

There will be a few notable absentees from this afternoon’s friendly.

The biggest name missing will be that of Inter captain Lautaro Martinez.

The Argentine was the latest return to training. He was in action with his national team for longer than anyone else in the squad, due to Argentina winning the Copa America.

For that reason, Martinez is still a long way from his best physical condition.

The 26-year-old even returned to training a couple days earlier than expected. But even with that being the case he still has a lot of work to do.

That is why Martinez decided to stay behind in Milan and work on his intense personal training regimen.

The Inter captain is targeting next weekend to be at full match-fitness.

Meanwhile, striker Taremi is also out of this afternoon’s friendly at Stamford Bridge.

The Iranian is still recovering from a muscle injury that he picked up in preseason.

The end of the tunnel is in sight for Taremi, however. His aim is definitely to be available for next weekend’s match against Genoa.

Taremi will likely be the first substitute for Lautaro Martinez, with the captain hardly set to be ready to play a full ninety minutes.

Zielinski & Arnautovic Targeting Returns Vs Lecce – De Vrij Back For Atalanta Clash

In the case of midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu, the Turk is out for this evening due to a slight muscle problem.

There is no real injury for Calhanoglu. But his priority is to be fit and available for the Serie A opener, and he will not take any risks in a preseason friendly against Chelsea.

Meanwhile, the Corriere report, both Piotr Zielinski and Marko Arnautovic will miss the season opener against Genoa. However, they’re targeting returns from injury against Lecce in the second match.

And in the case of defender Stefan de Vrij, the Dutchman is aiming to be back from a thigh strain in Inter’s third league match of the season against Lecce.