Serie A’s three-week international break offers more than a pause in the calendar. For several clubs, it is a chance to reduce the pressure on crowded treatment rooms before the sixth round, with coaches waiting on players who could alter their options as the championship resumes.
Key takeaways
- Artem Dovbyk is working towards a return to Palladino’s squad after missing the Napoli and Torino matches with a minor hamstring complaint.
- Inter expect Hakan Calhanoglu to be available against Parma, while Djed Spence is preparing for his first Serie A appearance in Nerazzurri colours.
- Scott McTominay has resumed individual gym work after heart treatment and could return in the sixth round if his rehabilitation remains on schedule.
- Juventus should have Andrea Cambiaso and Randal Kolo Muani available for the trip to Cagliari.
- Udinese are hopeful that both Oumar Solet and Keinan Davis will be ready after the break.
A useful window for the clubs carrying absences
Dovbyk has remained at Casteldebole to manage the slight discomfort in his hamstrings that ruled him out against Napoli and Torino. The aim is for the striker to return to the matchday group for the next league fixture.
Adam Marusic has not played since leaving the opening match against Genoa before the 20-minute mark. His hamstring strain has kept him sidelined, but he is targeting the meeting with Monza after using the break for recovery.
Inter have a number of possible returns to assess. Spence arrived short of full fitness and with a minor physical issue still to resolve, but could make his Serie A debut once the league restarts. Calhanoglu, absent from the games against Udinese and Roma because of a right-thigh adductor problem, is expected to strengthen Chivu’s midfield for Parma’s visit.
John Stones has also indicated that he is close to returning after discomfort in the hamstrings of his left thigh. In a message to Inter supporters, he said: “I have a minor injury, but I am already working to be back after the break.” He is expected to be in contention in the sixth round.
McTominay’s situation has required more care. The midfielder underwent an ablation procedure to correct a mild benign arrhythmia, missing matches against Inter, Bologna and Fiorentina. He has now restarted individual gym sessions, and a sixth-round comeback remains possible provided there are no setbacks in the rehabilitation process.
Returns that could shape the sixth round
Cambiaso was introduced in the 76th minute against Parma, only to leave ten minutes later after twisting his ankle. The break should give him sufficient time to recover for Juventus’ away match at Cagliari’s Unipol Domus.
Kolo Muani is also set to be available in Sardinia despite breaking a finger on his right hand in a challenge during Juventus-Atalanta. The French forward underwent treatment at JMedical to reduce the fracture and has been playing with heavy protection between his ring finger and little finger.
Parma hope Adrián Bernabé can return against Inter. Having started only the first two Serie A games and then made a brief appearance in the fourth round, he has used the interval to recover from a low-grade muscle injury.
Cesare Casadei appears to have put the muscular problem suffered against Milan behind him. After more than a month out, he is ready to return to Abate’s squad.
Che Adams continues his individual programme following a low-grade strain to the adductors in his left thigh. He missed the matches against Roma and Bologna and is aiming to be back for the next round against Udinese.
Udinese, meanwhile, are awaiting two important fitness updates. Solet has been out with an injury to the pectineus muscle in his left leg and has already missed the fixtures against Inter and Cagliari, but he is close to a post-break return. Davis, who went off in the 38th minute of the first half against Cagliari because of discomfort in his left thigh, is expected back as well. The club’s technical director Inler has indicated that the English striker’s issue is not considered serious.
