Inter team news: Barella could miss next games, Acerbi return date | OneFootball

Inter are closing in on their first Coppa Italia tie of the season, knowing that Nicolò Barella is likely to be sidelined after picking up an injury against Lazio, as he joined Francesco Acerbi on the treatment table.

Which games Barella could miss after Lazio injury

The midfielder left the pitch after 74 minutes during his side’s 6-0 thumping of the Biancocelesti last Sunday. While the Nerazzurri were relieved to understand that neither he nor Federico Dimarco has sustained serious issues, Calciomercato.com suggests the 27-year-old may need around 10 days to regain full fitness.

In that case, the Italy international would not only miss Thursday’s Coppa Italia fixture against Udinese but also the following Serie A home meeting with Como, scheduled for next Monday.

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 06: Nicolo Barella of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s second goal from the penalty spot with teammates Marcus Thuram and Hakan Calhanoglu during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Parma at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 06, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Davide Frattesi, who started his last league game in late October, would be the major candidate to replace Barella if he’s out of action in the upcoming matches.

Inter don’t expect Acerbi to return before new year

Inter are also concerned with Francesco Acerbi’s health, as the defender is still recovering from an injury he suffered in the opening minutes of his team’s trip away to Verona nearly one month ago.

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 10: Romelu Lukaku of Napoli is challenged by Francesco Acerbi of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on November 10, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, the 36-year-old is not expected to return before the Supercoppa Italiana, which will see the Nerazzurri take on Atalanta in Saudi Arabia on 2 January.

As a result, coach Simone Inzaghi is weighing up whether to give Tomas Palacios his first start in the black and blue shirt against the Bianconeri.

Worried by his repeated physical troubles this season, Inter are also considering terminating Acerbi’s contract next June to make room for younger reinforcements, opting to keep Stefan De Vrij at the San Siro.