Kristjan Asllani is ready to take his chance in the Inter Milan starting eleven in tomorrow’s Derby d’Italia clash with Juventus.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.
Tomorrow evening, Inter and Juventus face off for the first time this season.
The Derby d’Italia is always a showpiece occasion for Italian football. And as is so often the case, the fixture has the feel of a potential title-decider.
But both the Nerazzurri and the Bianconeri are going to have to prepare for this match without a number of key players.
For Inter, there is arguably no absence weightier than that of Hakan Calhanoglu.
The 30-year-old has become virtually irreplaceable in the holding midfield role for the Nerazzurri.
However, Calhanoglu is out with a thigh strain.
Calhanoglu’s most natural backup in the squad should be back after missing Inter’s last couple matches with injury.
Kristjan Asllani is also naturally suited to playing at the base of the midfield trio like Calhanoglu.
In Inter’s last couple of matches Nicolo Barella has deputized for Calhanoglu. But the holding midfield role is not really the Italian international’s best position.
Inter coach Simone Inzaghi turned to the Italian in the absence of other options.
But now, Asllani is fit again. He will be available to face Juventus tomorrow.
Naturally, the Derby d’Italia is a huge match for a player like Asllani to start in.
But Inter signed Asllani in 2022 because they saw him as invaluable squad depth in the holding midfield position.
And Inzaghi is ready to put his faith in the Albanian.
It won’t be an easy match to come back in for Asllani. But it is a big chance for him.