Inter Milan will be without a key defensive pillar for their Serie A clash against Cagliari on Friday, as head coach Cristian Chivu confirmed the omission of star center-back Alessandro Bastoni.

Chivu addressed the situation in his pre-match press conference, revealing that Bastoni is dealing with an ankle issue that has limited his training. This comes at a sensitive time for the 26-year-old Italian international, who has recently faced criticism from some Serie A fans and was substituted at halftime in Inter's dramatic 4-3 win over Como last weekend.

The timing of this absence is particularly intriguing given the swirling transfer rumors. Bastoni has been heavily linked with a summer move to Barcelona, with the La Liga giants reportedly identifying him as a top defensive target. However, Inter's steadfast €70 million valuation presents a significant financial hurdle for the Catalan club, potentially setting the stage for a protracted transfer saga.

Chivu moved to shield his player from the external noise, urging focus on Bastoni's contributions. "I’d even stop talking about Ale," Chivu stated. "We should praise the man and the player for what he has given... He now has an ankle issue and has trained very little. He is not well, he will not be in the squad tomorrow, and he will stay out to heal."

In more positive news for the Nerazzurri, Chivu provided encouraging updates on two other injured players. Defender Yann Bisseck is set to rejoin group training imminently, while star striker and captain Lautaro Martinez is ahead of schedule in his recovery and could return to the pitch next week. "Lauti, compared to the expected timeline, is on track," Chivu confirmed, offering a boost for Inter's final push in the Serie A season.