The arrival of “Marcus Thuram 2.0” as more of a pure number nine could supercharge Inter Milan’s attack this season.
This is the view in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, after the 26-year-old’s brace against Genoa on Saturday.
Thuram is already off and running in Serie A.
The Frenchman scored twice in Inter’s opening match of the season away to Genoa.
That was not enough to give Inter the victory, as some sloppiness at the back meant that they had to settle for a point.
But it was certainly a positive sign as far as what Thuram can bring for the rest of the season.
Last season was Thuram’s first in an Inter shirt. And it was certainly a positive one, as he formed a lethal attacking partnership with captain Lautaro Martinez.
However, Thuram was not really a high volume goalscorer for Inter last time out.
The former Borussia Monchengladbach striker found the back of the net a total of thirteen times in Serie A.
That is certainly not a bad total. Moreover, he had a habit of scoring in important moments and against top opposition.
But it was Martinez who was a more consistent source of goals.
Thuram, by contrast, contributed not just goals but also regular assists, plus linkup play.
“Marcus Thuram 2.0” Supercharges Inter Attack Vs Genoa
Against Genoa, however, the Gazzetta sees evidence of a “Thuram 2.0.”
The Frenchman looked hungry to play as an out-and-out number nine. His best moments in the match came in the penalty area.
Inter captain Martinez, by contrast, was lacking an edge in the box. This was perhaps attributable to a lack of fitness following a late return to preseason training.
Inter did not miss Martinez’s goals, for the time being, with Thuram providing the movement, physicality, and clinical finishing in the area.
But it is all but inevitable that the captain will start scoring again.
In the view of the Gazzetta, it is an enticing proposition to consider how prolific Inter’s attack could become if both Martinez and Thuram are playing with a clinical edge in the box.
And then on top of that, the newspaper highlights, Mehdi Taremi’s arrival brings a striker who has consistently hit double figures throughout his time min Europe.
