Inter Milan's Injury List Gets an Update
The start of the Serie A season rarely runs smoothly, and this year Inter Milan hasn’t been immune to problems. Just days after kicking off their campaign, the team’s medical room has been buzzing. Among the names on the treatment table: Inter Milan’s new signing Piotr Zielinski and rock-solid defender Stefan de Vrij. Both players sat out the season opener against Genoa with thigh strains that cropped up during preseason.
Fast forward to August 19 and there’s a hint of relief for the club. Zielinski, who only recently swapped the blue of Napoli for the Nerazzurri, and de Vrij, a seasoned pro from Lazio days, were seen jogging and doing fitness work at Suning Training Centre. They weren’t cleared to join full squad activities just yet, but their presence on the grass signals progress.
Team Solutions and Selection Puzzles
Simone Inzaghi has hardly had time to experiment with his best eleven. Tajon Buchanan’s broken leg, suffered during a friendly, has forced the manager’s hand in the wingback role, stretching the squad's defensive reserves. Inzaghi leaned on backups for the Genoa fixture, but he’s counting the days until both de Vrij and Zielinski can boost his options at the back and in midfield.
Both players’ injuries have been under the microscope. Thigh strains can be tricky; rush things and relapse is almost guaranteed. Inter’s medical staff have kept Zielinski and de Vrij on tailored programs—think pitch running, flexibility work, controlled ball drills—all calculated to build up strength without risking setbacks. The club wants both back in time for the next test against Lecce, but a return to team sessions needs to happen smoothly, no gambles allowed.
Meanwhile, the squad has been adapting. New midfield signings have had a chance to show their stuff, and younger defenders have filled in alongside the ever-reliable Alessandro Bastoni. The focus now shifts to ensuring the full squad is firing and that Inzaghi isn’t forced into uncomfortable tactical acrobatics just to plug gaps on the team sheet.
If Zielinski and de Vrij can pass fitness checks before the Lecce match, expect them in the match-day squad. For fans and coaches alike, their potential comeback can’t come soon enough: Inter needs its experienced core, especially with key fixtures stacking up on the horizon.
