Mkhitaryan Sidelined, Calhanoglu Nearing Return: Inter's Midfield Riddle and Fiorentina's Fiery Fightback
Inter Milan confirm Henrikh Mkhitaryan's hamstring injury ruling him out until early April, while Hakan Calhanoglu nears a return amid summer midfield overhaul rumours. Fiorentina boss Paolo Vanoli hails a 'huge' 4-1 win over Cremonese, boosting their Serie A survival push to 16th place. Reports from Peter Young and Susy Campanale at Football Italia highlight ongoing battles at both ends of the table.
Inter's Injury Blues and Midfield Mutterings
Picture this: you're nursing a pint, chatting footy, and Inter Milan drop the bombshell that Henrikh Mkhitaryan's hamstring has packed its bags. The Armenian maestro subbed on at half-time in that gritty 1-1 draw with Atalanta at the weekend, only to limp off before the whistle. Club boffins confirmed a left-thigh strain after tests at the Humanitas Institute – he's set to miss the trip to Fiorentina and won't be back till early April, post-internationals.
It's a proper gut-punch for the Nerazzurri, who top Serie A by eight points. But hang on, there's a silver lining: Hakan Calhanoglu is on the mend. The Turkish talisman, who's been stuck on cameo duties for the last 10 league games, could be ready for Sunday's showdown, per La Gazzetta dello Sport. As reported by Peter Young at Football Italia, Inter fans might just breathe easier.
Summer Shake-Up Brewing in Milano?
Whispers of a midfield 'revolution' are doing the rounds too. Mkhitaryan, turning 37 soon and out of contract, hasn't spilled on retirement plans. Meanwhile, Galatasaray are sniffing around Calhanoglu again. La Gazzetta reckons only Piotr Zielinski has truly shone among the seven midfielders this term – the likes of Nicolo Barella, Petar Sucic, Andy Diouf and Davide Frattesi have taken flak despite the title charge.
It's like Inter's engine room is a dodgy old Transit: reliable Zielinski keeps it ticking, but the rest need a service. Come summer, expect fireworks – new blood to keep the leaders humming. Susy Campanale at Football Italia flags this as the big plot twist in Simone Inzaghi's masterplan.
Viola's Vital Victory: Four Goals and a Sigh of Relief
Meanwhile, down in the dogfight, Fiorentina turned Stadio Giovanni Zini into their playground, smashing Cremonese 4-1. Boss Paolo Vanoli called it 'three massive points against a rival', and boy, did they need 'em – just one clear of the trapdoor pre-kickoff.
Early jitters? David De Gea clawed one away in the first two minutes. But then the floodgates: Fabiano Parisi opened it, Roberto Piccoli (Vanoli's 'diamond in the rough') doubled up, Dodo romped from his own half for a belter, and Albert Gudmundsson capped it with a cheeky back-heel assisted finish. David Okereke nabbed a consolation for the hosts, but it's Fiorentina leaping to 16th, four points clear.
Vanoli, speaking to DAZN Italia, admitted they got 'frenetic' after going ahead – should've controlled the tempo, lads. Since mid-season, they've matched Roma and Lazio's 15 points, shifting gears from European dreams to survival scraps. 'Took time to refocus,' he said, with Conference League ties against Rakow Czestochowa sapping energy (they lead 2-1 aggregate ahead of Thursday's leg two).
No room for complacency: top scorer Moise Kean was bench-bound through injury, and the Viola must juggle league grit with continental hopes. Vanoli's keeping feet grounded – no 'turning point' talk yet. Florence demands more, but this scrap's theirs to win.
Inter head to Florence licking wounds, but with Calhanoglu potentially back, it's game on. Serie A's top table stays tasty, bottom brawl heats up. Fancy a wager on the revolution?