Inter have put Saturday’s win over Parma behind them and moved straight into Champions League preparation, with Cristian Chivu’s side returning to work at Appiano Gentile ahead of the meeting with Bruges.
Key takeaways
- Hakan Calhanoglu is available for Inter’s second European fixture of the season despite being seen with ice on his knee after the Parma match.
- The Turkish midfielder scored Inter’s temporary second goal from the penalty spot before leaving the pitch in the 62nd minute on Saturday.
- John Stones and Curtis Jones were the only players absent from the full group, as both continue individual recovery programmes.
- Players involved against Parma completed recovery work as the squad turned its attention to Bruges.
- Inter will hold their final pre-match session at 11:00, followed by Chivu’s press conference at 14:30.
Calhanoglu cleared for European duty
There is no fitness concern surrounding Calhanoglu. The midfielder, who played his part in the Parma victory by converting a penalty, was substituted after 62 minutes and later sat on the bench with an ice pack on his knee. That image has not developed into a problem, with the Turkey international fit and ready for selection against Bruges.
Chivu had the remainder of his squad available at Appiano Gentile. Stones and Jones remain on separate training schedules while they work their way back, but all other players reported for the first session of a short European build-up.
The men who started or featured against Parma were assigned lighter recovery exercises, a routine step after a league match as Inter manage the transition from a Saturday afternoon in Serie A to a continental night at San Siro.
Final preparations before Bruges arrive
Inter’s final training session is scheduled for 11:00, when Chivu will settle the last details for the match. The coach will then face the media at 14:30 alongside one member of his squad.
Bruges will follow their own pre-match programme the following day. Their coach, Ivan Leko, is due to speak in the San Siro press room at 18:45.
For Inter, the immediate message from the training ground is one of continuity rather than alarm: Parma has been dealt with, Calhanoglu remains at Chivu’s disposal, and the focus has shifted quickly to the second Champions League appointment of the campaign.
