Dumfries and Acerbi out for Leverkusen clash, Buchanan in

The reigning Italian champions count a couple of crucial absences for Tuesday's trip to Leverkusen in the Champions League, particularly concerning the defensive department. Francesco Acerbi and Denzel Dumfries will not travel to Germany with the squad after missing Monday's training session, as revealed earlier today by 'Calciomercato'.

The former Lazio centre-back has not recovered from a thigh injury suffered last month, while Dumfries is reportedly ruled out due to illness. Tajon Buchanan is set to fill in for the Dutchman but it remains to be seen whether he starts or features off the bench, as reports suggest he may not be up to match fitness. 

With Benjamin Pavard also sitting out the Bayer Arena visit, Simone Inzaghi is expected to make numerous changes to the lineup that faced Parma at the weekend. While qualification into the knockout round is certain for the 'Nerazzurri', who sit second with 13 points, a win against Alonso'men would guarantee them a top-eight spot. 

Inter have faced Leverkusen in three past occasions, winning all three of their meetings: twice in the 2002/03 Champions League campaign and most recently in the quarter-finals of the Europa League in 2020, with Inter progressing before surrendering to a 3-2 defeat against Sevilla in the final.

 

December 9, 2024