Inter Confirm Calhanoglu Out of Unbeaten Serie A Clash at Roma

Inter will travel to Rome without Hakan Calhanoglu after tests confirmed an adductor strain in the midfielder’s right thigh, removing a key creative option ahead of Saturday’s Serie A meeting between the division’s two unbeaten sides.

What changed for Inter

Calhanoglu was forced off during Monday’s 5-3 victory over Udinese and underwent examinations on Tuesday morning at the Istituto Clinico Humanitas in Rozzano. Inter confirmed that the Turkish international has suffered a right-thigh adductor injury and will be assessed again over the coming days.

The midfielder had made a fast start to the league season, scoring in Inter’s first two Serie A matches against Monza and Cagliari. He had also played in fixtures against Napoli and Real Madrid in the Champions League before the setback.

• Calhanoglu is expected to miss Saturday’s trip to the capital.
• Inter have not set a return date, with further checks planned.
• Turkey will watch his recovery closely before Nations League matches against France, Italy and Belgium.

Competition context

Saturday’s match offers the chance for one club to take sole possession of first place after four rounds. Both teams have won all four of their league fixtures, the first occasion since October 2014 that two perfect records have met at this stage of a Serie A campaign.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s side lead the table on goal difference, having scored 12 goals and conceded only once. A fifth straight win would represent only the third time Roma have begun a Serie A season with five consecutive victories.

Inter, however, arrive with a strong recent record at the Olimpico. They have won each of their past five league away games there, scoring 11 times while allowing two goals.

What is scheduled next

Inter face their most demanding domestic test so far when they visit Roma on Saturday, immediately before the international break. The club will need to decide how to cover Calhanoglu’s absence while awaiting the next medical assessment on his thigh problem.