Inter Milan midfielders Hakan Calhanoglu and Luis Henrique are both facing a battle to be fit for the Coppa Italia final against Juventus on May 13th, according to reports from Italy. The pair were the only notable absentees as the bulk of the Inter squad, including captain Lautaro Martinez, returned to full training this week.
Calhanoglu, a key figure in Simone Inzaghi's system, has been managing a muscular issue. The Turkey international has been instrumental for the Nerazzurri this season, operating primarily as a deep-lying playmaker. His potential absence for the domestic cup final would represent a significant blow, given his control of the game's tempo and set-piece expertise. The 30-year-old has made 44 appearances across all competitions this campaign, contributing 13 goals and 3 assists.
Brazilian winger Luis Henrique is also sidelined with an injury. The 23-year-old, who joined Inter from Botafogo last summer, has struggled for consistent playing time in his debut Serie A season, making just 14 league appearances, mostly from the bench. His absence, while less impactful on the starting eleven, reduces Inzaghi's options for changing a game from the bench, particularly in wide areas.
The timing of these fitness concerns is less than ideal for Inter, who have already secured the Serie A title. The focus for the remainder of the season is squarely on adding the Coppa Italia to their trophy haul. The final against arch-rivals Juventus in Rome is a prestigious standalone event, and Inzaghi will be desperate to have his full squad available. The club's medical staff will now work intensively over the next two weeks to give both players a chance of featuring.
For Calhanoglu, a start in the final would cap a remarkable individual season where he has been arguably the league's best midfielder. His partnership with Nicolo Barella and Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been the engine of Inter's dominant title win. His potential unavailability would likely see Kristjan Asllani step into the holding role, a scenario tested at various points this season with mixed results. The coming days will be crucial in determining the composition of Inter's midfield for the showpiece event at the Stadio Olimpico.
