Main Reason Why Simone Inzaghi Decided To Exclude New Signing From UCL Squad List

Written By Onyeka Daniel

For the reigning champions of the Italian Serie A, Inter Milan, they released their Champions League squad today, according to the guidelines of UEFA and there was a surprise in the list as new signing, Tomas Palacios was left out.

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His compatriot, Joaquin Correa was also left out and there was a unexpected inclusion in the list, injured Canadian defender, Tajon Buchanan. It was a really surprising choice by the manager, Simone Inzaghi as Buchanan was expected to remain out of action until the end of December due to a fractured tibia.

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Inzaghi picked Buchanan over Palacios, who joined the Nerazzurri at the end of the summer transfer window, but it looks like the former Club Brugge could make an earlier return than the initial projection. The wingback, who has been out since the 2024 Copa America.

He broke his tibia in the build-up to Canada’s quarter-final tie against Venezuela. And now, according to a report from Italy, the 25-year-old has returned to on-field training, doing light practice on Monday and Tuesday as he continues to work tirelessly on his recovery. The initial report was that his return date would be early next year.

This is after undergoing surgery in July, but it’s looking like he will make a much quicker return as the player is reportedly eager to return to the pitch much sooner. Buchanan’s injury has narrowed Inzaghi’s options on the flanks.

He is capable of playing on both wings. In fact, he has featured mainly on the left since joining the club in the last winter transfer window, hence, he would’ve been an invaluable asset for the coach. With the versatile defender out, Carlos Augusto and Federico Dimarco are the only alternatives on the left wing.

Inzaghi can count on Denzel Dumfries and Matteo Darmian to cover the opposite flank. Yet, Buchanan’s swift recovery would be crucial for Inter ahead of the packed fixture schedule. With the new Champions League format on the horizon, Inzaghi will need all hands on deck.

The Nerazzurri are aiming to retain their Serie A title. At the same time, they want to impress in Europe after last season’s quarter-final last-16 heartbreak. The Nerazzurri tried to address Buchanan’s injury in the summer. However, their efforts to land a new wingback didn’t come to fruition.

Instead, they brought in Palacios, a centre-back, and he has yet to make his first appearance in training, after joining in the last day of the transfer window. With Buchanan returning sooner, perhaps the coach felt that he would be more useful to the team in the run-in of the UCL.

This is partly down to the fact that they will be playing in the last week of January, so his return is definitely a blessing. Inter’s Champions League journey begins at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on September 18 against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

It will be a remake of the 2022-23 Final, which the Premier League giants won in Istanbul thanks to Rodri’s winner.In the league phase, Inter will also visit Young Boys, RB Leipzig, and Sparta Praha and host Red Star Belgrade, Arsenal, RB Leipzig, and Monaco at San Siro.

The Nerazzurri reached the Round of 16 in the 2023-24 Champions League, facing elimination at the hands of Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid. For Correa, his exclusion is in line with the fact that he’s currently surplus to requirements.

With the closing of the transfer window, Turkey and Saudi Arabia are the only tangible options for him as the club look to get his wages off their books.

Inter’s Champions League squad

1 Yann Sommer 2 Denzel Dumfries 6 Stefan de Vrij 7 Piotr Zielinski 8 Marko Arnautovic 9 Marcus Thuram 10 Lautaro Martinez 12 Raffaele Di Gennaro 13 Josep Martinez 15 Francesco Acerbi 16 Davide Frattesi.

Read Also: Paulo Fonseca Gets Milan Ultimatum As Pioli’s Possible Return Surfaces

17 Buchanan 20 Hakan Calhanoglu 21 Kristjan Asllani 22 Henrikh Mkhitaryan 23 Nicolò Barella 28 Benjamin Pavard 30 Carlos Augusto 31 Yann Bisseck 32 Federico Dimarco 36 Matteo Darmian 95 Alessandro Bastoni 99 Mehdi Taremi.

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