Thuram isolated in the derby, Corriere dello Sport: «Emblem of Inter’s difficulties»

The derby against Milan confirmed a difficult moment for Thuram, who remained isolated up front as the only striker and was unable to trouble Maignan for the entire duration of the match. The tactical choice was forced: the injury to Lautaro and the poor physical condition of Esposito and Bonny, both struggling with fever during the week, forced Chivu to reorganize the offensive department without real alternatives.

Corriere dello Sport describes the performance of the Nerazzurri number 9 as follows: “He tried without finding openings, even moving out wide several times to receive the ball. In no way, however, did Marcus Thuram really manage to trouble Maignan, playing the not-so-comfortable role of the lone striker and ending up as the emblem of Inter’s difficulties in yet another derby lost against Milan.”

The newspaper also recalls the Frenchman’s goal drought in the city derby: his last goal against Milan dates back to April 22, 2024, the night of the twentieth Scudetto and the second star. That also remains the last Nerazzurri victory in the derby and, for the league, the next meeting is set for February 13 in the return match. In the previous weeks, on the contrary, Thuram had made a decisive impact: goals against Parma, Bologna, and Fiorentina, then the own goal he caused against Venezia.

In his seventh consecutive start after the break, the striker still cannot rest. According to Corriere dello Sport, “now, however, Thuram must grit his teeth,” because before the next break there are still matches against Feyenoord in the Champions League and Como in the league. With Lautaro only available after the break, this Inter cannot do without the Frenchman’s contribution, provided — the newspaper emphasizes — that “there is an immediate change of pace in the penalty area.”