Netherlands FIFA World Cup Star Hasn’t Travelled With Inter Milan Squad For Champions League Clash Vs Benfica | OneFootball

Wingback Denzel Dumfries has not travelled with the rest of the Inter Milan squad for this evening’s Champions League clash with Benfica.

This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews.

27-year-old Dutch international Dumfries has not necessarily been dealing with major injuries in the past couple of months.

However, the wingback has nevertheless had some fitness issues.

The problem that Dumfries has been carrying has been muscle fatigue.

This has seemingly been the result of a bit of overuse for the Dutchman, at club and international level.

For Inter, the biggest problem has been a lack of real backup for Dumfries in the Inter squad.

Juan Cuadrado arrived in the summer on a free transfer after his contract with Juventus ran out. The 35-year-old was meant to provide backup and competition for Dumfries on the right flank.

But Cuadrado has been unavailable for long periods this season.

This has meant that Dumfries has had to play more than he would have had to have done if the Colombian had been available.

And the injury to Benjamin Pavard in defense hasn’t helped.

The Frenchman’s knee injury has entailed that Matteo Darmian has become the regular starter in defense.

Given that Darmian can also play at right-wingback, that is one less backup for Dumfries.

Denzel Dumfries Not In Inter Squad For Benfica Clash

With Dumfries not quite at his best, Inter coach Simone Inzaghi has decided to leave the former PSV man back in Milan rather than have him travel with the squad to Lisbon.

Dumfries will work on keeping his fitness up, and rest after the match against Juventus on Sunday.

Inter have yet another big Serie A match on the way this coming weekend.

The Nerazzurri travel to Naples to face Italian champions Napoli.

Accordingly, the priority is to have Dumfries at his best for that match against the Partneopei.

The Dutchman will therefore play no part against Benfica this evening.