Inter’s Injury Crisis Deepens: Pavard Joins Lautaro, Stones, and Jones on Sidelines

FolioPitch.com – 16 October 2026 | Inter add Pavard to growing injury list along with Lautaro Stones and Jones, the club confirmed on Thursday, as the Nerazzurri’s season threatens to unravel amid a mounting fitness crisis. French defender Benjamin Pavard has been diagnosed with a strain to the adductors of his right thigh, an injury that is expected to keep him out for approximately 20 days. The 28-year-old underwent medical examinations in Milan on Thursday morning after reporting discomfort, and the prognosis means he will miss crucial Serie A fixtures against Bologna, Fiorentina, Venezia, and in all likelihood the Derby della Madonnina against Milan at the end of the month.

The timing could hardly be worse for coach Cristian Chivu, whose side is reeling from a 4-3 home defeat to Club Brugge in the Champions League on Tuesday night. That loss left Inter with zero points from their opening two matches in Europe’s elite competition, and the growing absentee list only compounds the sense of unease around the club. The defeat to Brugge was not just a tactical setback; it also came at a significant physical cost, with captain and talisman Lautaro Martinez pulling up with a hamstring issue that is now expected to sideline him for several weeks.

Inter add Pavard to growing injury list along with Lautaro Stones and Jones, and the implications are severe. Lautaro’s absence robs the team of its primary goal threat and emotional leader, while Pavard’s defensive solidity will be sorely missed at the back. The Frenchman has been a key figure since arriving from Bayern Munich, and his versatility across the backline has been a cornerstone of Inter’s tactical setup. Without him, Chivu must reshuffle his defensive options, potentially turning to younger or less experienced players at a critical juncture of the campaign.

Summer signing Curtis Jones is also nursing a thigh injury and faces another few weeks on the sidelines, further depleting the midfield. Jones, who arrived with high expectations, has yet to make a significant impact, and his continued absence limits Chivu’s ability to rotate in the middle of the park. Meanwhile, John Stones has not featured since picking up a hamstring issue on his first competitive start for the club back in September. The former Manchester City defender was brought in to add experience and composure to the backline, but his injury has prevented him from establishing any rhythm or partnership with his new teammates.

The cumulative effect of these absences is a squad stretched to its limits. Inter add Pavard to growing injury list along with Lautaro Stones and Jones, and the club’s medical staff are now under intense scrutiny. The frequency of muscle injuries—particularly hamstring and thigh strains—has raised questions about training loads, recovery protocols, and the overall physical conditioning of the squad. With a congested fixture list ahead, including domestic league commitments and European fixtures, the risk of further injuries looms large.

Chivu, who took over the reins with a reputation for meticulous preparation, now faces the toughest test of his young managerial career. He must find solutions from within a depleted squad, perhaps by promoting academy players or adjusting his tactical approach to compensate for the missing personnel. The upcoming Serie A matches against Bologna, Fiorentina, and Venezia represent a crucial opportunity to steady the ship domestically, but doing so without four key players will require resilience and ingenuity.

The Derby della Madonnina, should Pavard indeed miss it, would be a particularly bitter blow. The Milan derby is one of the most fiercely contested fixtures in world football, and Inter would prefer to have their strongest XI available. Without Pavard, Lautaro, Stones, and Jones, the Nerazzurri will be significantly weakened, handing rivals Milan a potential psychological edge.

Injuries are an unavoidable part of football, but the sheer concentration of muscle problems at Inter raises concerns about systemic issues. The club’s medical team and sports science department will need to conduct a thorough review to prevent further setbacks. For now, Chivu must rally his remaining troops and hope that the likes of Pavard and Lautaro can return ahead of schedule. The next few weeks will define Inter’s season, and how they cope with this crisis could determine whether they remain in the title race or fall by the wayside.

As the treatment room fills up, Inter add Pavard to growing injury list along with Lautaro Stones and Jones, and the club’s depth will be tested like never before. The coming fixtures will reveal whether the Nerazzurri have the character and squad quality to overcome this adversity, or whether their campaign will be derailed by an injury crisis that shows no sign of abating.