Inter Milan Full-Blown Injury Crisis In Defense – Ex Man United Star Out, Ex Lazio & Bayern Munich Stars At Risk For Atalanta Showdown

Inter Milan are staring down a full-blown injury crisis, with Francesco Acerbi and Benjamin Pavards doubts to face Atalanta next month.

This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews. They also note that Matteo Darmian and Stefan de Vrij are major doubts against Como this evening.

Inter have been somewhere near the limits of their defensive depth in recent weeks.

Thigh problems for Francesco Acerbi and Benjamin Pavard have seriously restricted Nerazzurri coach Simone Inzaghi’s defensive selections for all of December.

Therefore, the Inter coach has largely gone with the same starting back three from match to match.

That hasn’t been a problem. The trio of Alessandro Bastoni, Stefan de Vrij, and Yann Bisseck has been in rock-solid form.

But things may have gone from bad to worse for Inter’s defense.

Inter Stare Down Full-Blown Injury Crisis In Defense – Acerbi & Pavard Could Miss Atalanta Clash

Yesterday, Stefan de Vrij and Matteo Darmian had minor injuries.

Therefore, both of those two are in major doubt for today’s Serie A clash with Como. At most, they could be on the bench for the match.

In the case of Darmian, he sustained a blow to his knee against Udinese in the Coppa Italia. There is still a bit of swelling but he’ll certainly be all recovered for next weekend’s clash with Cagliari.

And in the case of de Vrij, there is even less worry beyond the next day or two.

But the likely absnece of two more defenders in addition to Acerbi and Pavard only underlines the fragility of Inter’s defensive depth at the moment.

Inter coach Inzaghi has had to work those players who have been available hard.

Therefore, Inter will certainly hope that Acerbi and Pavard can come back as soon as possible.

However, the Corriere report, returns for the pair may still have to wait a while longer.

The target for Acerbi has been something that has been constantly pushed back.

Initially, the veteran Italian international had aimed to be back around the start of December. But aged 36, his thigh strain has been a persistent one.

Acerbi has been aiming to return against Cagliari in Inter’s final Serie A match of 2024. However, there is no guarantee of that – and according to the Corriere, he could even be out for next month’s Supercoppa Italiana semifinal against Atalanta.

Meanwhile, Pavard has been targeting a return in the Supercoppa.

But the Corriere report that the former Bayern Munich defender is far from a guarantee to be available then.