Inter without Dimarco vs Real Madrid due to knee issue

Inter head to the Bernabéu for the first matchday of the Champions League league phase with a major absentee: Federico Dimarco is left out of the squad due to left-knee discomfort, as Mundo Deportivo reports.

The weekend injury

According to Mundo Deportivo, Dimarco picked up a mild sprain in his left knee on Saturday during the Serie A match against Napoli at San Siro (3-2). He felt the problem in the first half, returned after the break wearing a bandage, and even helped in a key moment—providing the assist for Lautaro Martínez to score the 1-2 goal and kick off Inter’s spectacular comeback.

However, the discomfort worsened and he was forced to come off in the 62nd minute. While tests have ruled out a serious injury, Mundo Deportivo says the club and coach Cristian Chivu chose not to take risks given how close the Real Madrid game is.

Who starts at left-back

Mundo Deportivo adds that Dimarco will stay in Milan to recover fully. Carlos Augusto will take over at left back for the clash with Real Madrid after also contributing in that Napoli match when he came on and assisted Marcus Thuram for the 2-2.

The loss matters even more as Dimarco had just been named Serie A’s best player at the Italian footballers’ association gala on Monday.