- by Masivuye Mzimkhulu
- on 7 May, 2025
Calhanoglu and Acerbi Bolster Inter Milan Squad for Bologna Face-Off
Inter Milan can finally breathe a little easier. After a spell of worrying injuries that thinned their squad, Hakan Calhanoglu and veteran defender Francesco Acerbi are set to make their comeback just in time for a crucial Serie A showdown with Bologna. Their names have been conspicuously absent from recent matchday lineups, but now, fans can expect both to return to Simone Inzaghi’s squad for the weekend fixture.
The Turkish midfielder, Calhanoglu, has been a creative engine for the Nerazzurri all season, so his presence in the starting eleven could give Inter the spark they've been lacking in recent games. Serie A observers know how much Inter relies on Calhanoglu's set-piece quality and ability to dictate play from deep midfield positions. Meanwhile, Acerbi’s experience at the back provides much-needed leadership. He might not walk straight into the starting lineup, but his availability gives Inzaghi tactical options either as a late substitute or fresh legs if the defense comes under pressure.
Even with these two sets of good news, Inter’s list of injuries is far from cleared up. Armenian playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan is still out of action. The club isn’t offering much hope for a swift return either—medical staff haven’t set a specific comeback date yet, leaving a creative gap in midfield for the foreseeable future. It’s a headache Inzaghi can do without, especially with big matches stacking up on the calendar.
Recovery Timelines Remain Uncertain for Key Absentees
The damage doesn’t stop there. Yann Bisseck, another defensive option, is still unavailable after missing time with his own injury concerns. The young defender is reportedly targeting a return in Inter’s clash with Lecce later this month, but until then, defensive versatility remains a question mark. Fans won’t be seeing forward Joaquin Correa in the squad just yet; his injury should keep him out until the end of the week, minimum. That’s a blow to Inter’s attacking rotations, making it harder for the frontline to stay fresh.
As if that wasn’t enough, third-choice goalkeeper Raffaele Di Gennaro—recovering from hand surgery—isn’t expected back any time soon. While he’s not a frequent starter, Inter knows how injuries can snowball at this stage of the season, so every bit of depth matters as fixtures pile up.
The injury challenges aren’t just an excuse—they’re a reality that Inter has been juggling in recent matches, including the tense meeting with Venezia, where their thin squad tested Inzaghi’s tactical flexibility. The returns of Calhanoglu and Acerbi are big positives. Still, when squad depth is stretched, one or two fresh faces may not be enough to handle the pressure of crucial games coming thick and fast in Serie A and beyond.
This series of setbacks and comebacks keeps the entire Inter fanbase on edge. The revolving door of players in and out of the recovery room adds constant unpredictability, especially with the season’s decisive weeks approaching. Gazzetta dello Sport, through FCInterNews, has kept a close eye on these updates, reflecting the anxiety and anticipation around Inter’s training ground as the Nerazzurri battle on multiple fronts.
Traci Walther
May 7, 2025 AT 20:33Calhanoglu’s comeback is a massive boost for Inter!!! 🎉⚽️ The midfield maestro can finally unleash those thunderous set‑pieces and creative passes that have been sorely missed!!! Let’s hope Acerbi’s presence steadies the back line too, because the defense can’t afford any more wobble!!! 💪
Ricardo Smalley
May 17, 2025 AT 00:13Oh, because a single veteran defender suddenly fixes all tactical holes-how realistic! 🙄 The Serie A grind will still test Inzaghi’s options, pandemic style.
Sarah Lunn
May 26, 2025 AT 06:26Enough with the sugar‑coating! Inter’s injury list is a nightmare, and you can’t pretend Calhanoglu’s return will magically solve a defense that looks like Swiss cheese. If the back line collapses, it’s on Inzaghi’s head, not the midfield maestro.
Gary Henderson
June 4, 2025 AT 12:40Looks like Inzaghi finally got some breathing room. Calhanoglu’s vision and Acerbi’s grit could be the exact mix needed to keep Bologna at bay.
Julius Brodkorb
June 13, 2025 AT 18:53Totally agree-having a seasoned centre‑back like Acerbi could quiet those nervous moments late in the game. It’s a solid tactical cushion.
Juliana Kamya
June 23, 2025 AT 01:06From a tactical standpoint, re‑integrating Calhanoglu restores the creative fulcrum of Inter’s midfield, enabling a higher‑order possession framework. Simultaneously, Acerbi brings positional discipline-critical for maintaining a compact defensive geometry.
Erica Hemhauser
July 2, 2025 AT 07:20Inter’s depth is still inadequate; injuries remain a serious concern.
Hailey Wengle
July 11, 2025 AT 13:33Of course the club *claims* everyone’s fine!!! But we all know the real story: hidden agendas, secret medical reports, and the board covering up the true extent of the squad’s fragility!!!
Maxine Gaa
July 20, 2025 AT 19:46When a team’s roster resembles a revolving door, one might ask: what does stability truly mean in a sport defined by constant flux? The return of key players offers a brief illusion of permanence, yet the underlying uncertainty persists, prompting fans to contemplate the nature of resilience itself.
Katie Osborne
July 30, 2025 AT 02:00Indeed, the epistemic considerations surrounding squad continuity warrant a meticulous examination. One must appraise not only the immediate tactical ramifications but also the longitudinal impact on competitive equilibrium within the league framework.
Kelvin Miller
August 8, 2025 AT 08:13It’s good to see Calhanoglu back, and Acerbi’s experience will help the defense. Let’s hope the medical staff clears the remaining injuries soon.
Sheri Engstrom
August 17, 2025 AT 14:26First, let’s address the glaring inconsistency in Inzaghi’s squad management-a pattern that reeks of short‑sightedness and reckless optimism. The so‑called “boost” from Calhanoglu’s return is nothing more than a superficial band‑aid on a deep wound. While the Turkish playmaker dazzles with flair, he cannot compensate for a back line that resembles a house of cards. Acerbi’s veteran presence, though commendable, is a mere stopgap that fails to resolve the systemic defensive frailties exposed week after week. Moreover, the club’s communication about injuries borders on obfuscation, leaving supporters to sift through vague statements and half‑truths. Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s prolonged absence underscores a lack of strategic depth, and the reliance on ad‑hoc solutions is a recipe for disaster. The coaching staff appears to gamble on individual brilliance rather than fostering a cohesive unit. Each injury headline adds another layer to the mounting skepticism surrounding Inter’s long‑term planning. Fans are forced to watch a team that oscillates between moments of brilliance and catastrophic lapses, a rollercoaster that erodes confidence. The media’s hype around the “return” narrative distracts from the undeniable fact that the squad’s core is fragile. Even the hopeful tone about upcoming fixtures is a veneer that conceals the reality of a thin bench. The pattern of reactive signings, rather than proactive roster building, demonstrates a concerning lack of foresight. In addition, the psychological toll on players who must constantly adapt to shifting personnel cannot be ignored. This churn inevitably leads to diminished performance levels and increased injury risk. Ultimately, unless the management implements a comprehensive overhaul of medical protocols and recruitment strategies, the intermittent returns of stars will amount to little more than fleeting glimpses of potential that never fully materialize.
Prudhvi Raj
August 26, 2025 AT 20:40Calhanoglu adds creative spark; Acerbi adds defensive stability. Both are welcome returns.
jessica zulick
September 5, 2025 AT 02:53While the arrivals are uplifting, the club must still address the lingering absences of Mkhitaryan and Correa to sustain momentum.
Partho A.
September 14, 2025 AT 09:06It is imperative that the squad capitalizes on these reinforcements with disciplined execution, thereby transforming individual skill into collective success.