Juventus Defeat May Force Inter to Limit Rotations: Analyzing Overwork Controversies of Two Key Players

Recent rumors of Middle Eastern capital acquiring Inter Milan have been rampant, with some fans eagerly anticipating an imminent transformation into a financial powerhouse. However, after discussions with industry insiders and sports officials in Jiangsu, two key points emerged: there has been no formal offer, nor any due diligence conducted, and the National Day holiday period is not an ideal time for such developments. It seems that this matter may not be as imminent as some "sources" claim. Meanwhile, amidst a packed fixture schedule, the focus remains on the sport itself. Tonight, Inter Milan faces Sassuolo at home, and in the pre-match press conference, coach Simone Inzaghi was asked about player fatigue and potential rotations. His response was vague, stating that decisions would be made after the final training session, suggesting a change in his usual stance on rotations.

This uncertainty has led to varying predictions about Inter's starting lineup. Sky Italia suggested three changes, with Denzel Dumfries and Nicolò Barella returning, and likely rest for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Matteo Darmian, and Alessandro Bastoni. They also speculated that Carlos Augusto might get more playing time at the expense of the slightly fatigued Federico Dimarco. Contrarily, Gazzetta dello Sport, known for its accurate lineup predictions, maintained that the three key players would likely start, with only a 40% chance of Davide Frattesi replacing Mkhitaryan against his former club.

This ambiguity has caused confusion among journalists and fans, especially regarding the overwork concerns for Lautaro Martínez and Mkhitaryan. Gazzetta dello Sport highlighted these issues prominently. Alongside goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who has played all 540 minutes this season, Lautaro has logged 510 minutes, and Mkhitaryan 509 minutes, making them the team’s most overworked players. Mkhitaryan has been Inter’s top runner in four out of six matches and ranks eighth in Serie A for total distance covered. Lautaro, as Inter’s leading scorer, also leads in defensive actions among forwards, surpassing many top defenders in interceptions and tackles. His extensive travel during the FIFA international break further compounds his fatigue.

The main concern is that overworking these key players could either diminish their peak form or lead to injuries, posing a significant risk to Inter’s campaign. Italian TV suggested two reasons why Inter might limit rotations. Firstly, Sassuolo's recent form, highlighted by their 4-2 victory over Juventus, has made Inzaghi cautious. With Sassuolo scoring nine goals in their last three matches, Inzaghi prefers a stable lineup to counter their threat, especially given Sassuolo’s past success at the San Siro, where they secured a 2-0 victory.

Secondly, Inzaghi must consider the Champions League. After facing Sassuolo, Inter will play Salernitana away and then host Benfica three days later. Securing a win at home against Benfica is crucial, as it would position Inter favorably in their group, allowing them to focus on defeating the comparatively weaker Salzburg in subsequent matches to ensure early qualification. The financial stakes in the Champions League are significant, necessitating a careful balance of squad rotation. Therefore, a minor rotation midweek followed by a more substantial rotation over the weekend makes strategic sense for Inzaghi.

In this challenging schedule, Inzaghi’s decisions will be scrutinized, and tonight’s match against Sassuolo will provide answers on the effectiveness of his strategy. Fans are eagerly awaiting the game, hoping to see their team navigate this crucial period successfully.