Calhanoglu and Thuram set to miss Bologna trip as Inter prepare for final away test

Inter expected to travel without two key starters

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Hakan Calhanoglu and Marcus Thuram are not expected to be part of Inter’s travelling squad for Bologna-Inter, scheduled for Saturday at 18:00. The same report adds that Lautaro Martinez should be available, while the situation for the rest of the group remains to be clarified. It is a significant development ahead of a match that comes after the Scudetto has already been secured, but still carries plenty of meaning for Cristian Chivu’s side.

Why this matters for Chivu

Calhanoglu’s absence would be the more structurally important of the two. In Inter’s build-up, the Turkey international remains the reference point in the middle of the pitch, the player who connects the first pass from defence to attack and gives the Nerazzurri control of tempo. Thuram, meanwhile, is a major threat in transition and one of the few forwards capable of stretching a back line with pure pace and physical power. Losing both at the same time changes the balance of the side, even if this is no longer a must-win fixture in the title race.

What the likely knock-on effect looks like

With the championship already wrapped up, this may be as much about management as selection. Chivu has every reason to protect players who have carried heavy loads across a demanding season, especially after a campaign built on consistency and intensity. The absence of Calhanoglu could push Inter toward a different rhythm in midfield, with more vertical running and less metronomic control, while Thuram’s reported omission opens the door for a different profile up front. That could mean a more compact attacking structure, with Lautaro as the reference point and greater responsibility on the supporting forwards to attack space.

A late-season test of depth rather than pressure

From an analytical point of view, this is also another reminder of how Inter’s depth will be judged in the weeks ahead. The Scudetto has been won, but these remaining fixtures still offer useful clues about the hierarchy for next season and how Chivu wants his Biscione to look when he turns to rotation. If Calhanoglu and Thuram do indeed stay in Milan, the trip to Bologna becomes a chance to see how Inter function without two of their most recognisable starters. For fans, it is less about panic and more about understanding how the champions adapt when key pieces are missing.

Who do you think should start instead, now that the title is won, or would you still want them on the pitch in Bologna?