Inter boost with return of Barella and Calhanoglu for big Juventus match | OneFootball

There is good news for Inter ahead of Saturday’s Derby d’Italia with Juventus, as Nicolò Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu are back in training.

It kicks off at San Siro on Saturday at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET) and reignites the bitter rivalry as well as precious points in the top four.

Inter welcome back star midfielders

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 06: Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Como 1907 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The Nerazzurri are on a roll at the moment and flying away at the top of the table, despite missing half their first choice midfield.

Denzel Dumfries is still out of action following ankle surgery, but there was a significant development today, because Barella and Calhanoglu returned to training.

The Turkish veteran had been missing since limping off during the game with Napoli, suffering from a left soleus strain on January 11.

CREMONA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 01: Piotr Zielinski of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring the 0-2 goal during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and FC Internazionale at Stadio Giovanni Zini on February 01, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)

As for Barella, he suffered a right thigh problem in training ahead of the Champions League trip to Borussia Dortmund on January 28.

It is more likely that the Italian will be straight back into the starting XI, whereas Piotr Zielinski is expected to keep hold of the midfield reins to start this weekend’s big match.