Inter midfielder Hakan Çalhanoğlu is set to miss around 20 days with a left-calf muscle strain. Betting impact: Inter may lose some creativity; punters might favour low-scoring markets (under 2.5 goals) or back penalty/ set-piece takers rather than midfield assist markets while he’s absent.
Calhanoglu sidelined for around 20 days after calf strain
Inter have confirmed Hakan Çalhanoğlu suffered a muscle strain in his left calf and will be unavailable for approximately 20 days. The midfielder was withdrawn in the second half of the 2-2 draw with Napoli and subsequently underwent an MRI at the Humanitas Clinical Institute, which revealed the injury. The club said his condition will be reassessed in the coming days.
Medical update and expected timeline
Çalhanoğlu, 31, faces a short-term layoff with medical staff projecting about three weeks out. He has been a key creative outlet this season, recording eight goals and four assists in 22 appearances across all competitions. Inter hope to have him back by early February, with a tentative return target for the league trip to Sassuolo on February 8.
Fixtures likely to be missed
The timing of the injury means Çalhanoğlu is expected to miss several upcoming matches, including the rescheduled Serie A fixture against Lecce and league games versus Udinese, Pisa and Cremonese. He is also likely to sit out Champions League ties against Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund during this period.
Tactical consequences for Inter
Çalhanoğlu’s absence removes a primary creator and set-piece conductor from Stefano Pioli’s lineup, forcing tactical adjustments in midfield and dead-ball situations. Other playmakers will be asked to shoulder more creative responsibility, while the team may rely more heavily on direct runs from the forward line and set-piece routines.
Betting implications and market shifts
For bettors, the most immediate effects are likely in goals and assist markets. Without Çalhanoğlu’s chance-creation, markets could shift toward lower-scoring outcomes and fewer midfield assists. Consider markets such as under 2.5 goals, Inter to win with a small margin, or backing designated set-piece takers and forwards for goal/assist returns while he recovers. Monitor team news for confirmed starting XIs before placing bets.
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Inter confirm Hakan Calhanoglu has suffered a muscle strain in his left calf, and according...
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