Nico Barella, one of Italy's most promising footballers, has been ruled out for at least two weeks after suffering a knee ligament injury during the club's friendly match against Serie A rivals Juventus on Tuesday.
Barella suffered the injury in the 57th minute and was stretchered off the pitch, leaving his teammates to watch him on the field while they waited for further updates on his condition.
Inter Milan announced the news via their official Twitter account, with a message read as follows: "Unfortunately, Nico Barella has been ruled out for at least two weeks due to a knee ligament injury. We're very sorry for Nico's situation. He is currently undergoing treatment and we will keep you updated on his recovery."
The injury is not yet clear but it seems like it may be related to his recent training sessions, which were reportedly intense as he had been practicing with the squad since Wednesday. The Italian Football Federation (FIF) have also confirmed that Barella will undergo an MRI scan to assess the extent of the injury.
While the exact nature of the injury remains unknown, it's likely that it will sideline Barella for several months,La Liga Frontline which could impact Inter Milan's chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League. The team needs a reliable center back who can provide stability and consistency, especially given the depth of talent within the ranks.
In other developments, Inter Milan also revealed that striker Marco Materazzi, who has been sidelined by a thigh strain, will miss the remainder of the season. Materazzi has been a key player for Inter this season and missed three matches due to injuries.
Inter Milan's top side is in a precarious position as they need to secure a spot in the Champions League group stages to qualify for Europe's premier club competition. The team has already lost two games this season and faces a tough challenge to maintain their status in the Serie A league table.
Nico Barella's absence will undoubtedly cause some disruption for Inter Milan, as he is one of the club's most valuable assets. However, the team will have to find a way to replace him without losing too much time or money. Inter Milan fans should remain hopeful that they can bounce back from this setback and compete at a higher level next season.