PA Media/dpa
Rome
Inter Milan aim to close to within a point of the top of Serie A when they host Bologna on Wednesday.
After returning from the Italian Super Cup in Riyadh - where the Nerazzurri were edged out 3-2 in the final after rivals AC Milan produced a dramatic late fightback - Simone Inzaghi’s side ground out a 1-0 win at Venezia on Sunday.
Inter have two matches in hand on leaders Napoli and are seeking what would be a seventh-straight Serie A victory to keep their title bid on track.
Davide Frattesi impressed after he came off the bench against Venezia and is expected to start as Inzaghi continues to manage a depleted squad.
Midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan has joined Hakan Calhanoglu in the treatment room with a thigh strain, which is also likely to rule the Armenian out of Sunday’s home game against Empoli.
Calhanoglu, meanwhile, has suffered a setback in his scheduled rehabilitation, so continues to be assessed.
“Hakan Calhanoglu underwent further medical exams at the Istituto Humanitas in Rozzano after experiencing slight pain during his personal recovery work after the elongation of his right adductor,” a statement from Inter read.
“The tests revealed a slight strain in the soleus muscle of his right leg. His condition will be evaluated in the coming days.” Bologna also have a couple of matches in hand on the sides above them as they look to break back into the top six.
The Rossoblu head into Wednesday night’s game on the back of 2-2 draw against Roma, with Artem Dovbyk’s late penalty earning the visitors a point at the Renato Dall’Ara.
Bologna manager Vincenzo Italiano will have to rejig his defence with Jhon Lucumi suspended after collecting a fifth caution during Sunday’s game.
Midfielder Tommaso Pobega, though, is available again from his own ban after being sent off in the home defeat by Verona on December 30.
