Inter’s attack in emergency: Thuram pays the price for fatigue

The 3-1 defeat against Milan on October 31, 2026, exposed Inter’s attacking problems above all. Lautaro’s absence led Chivu to change the team’s shape and use Marcus Thuram as the lone attacking reference, a different solution from the front-two system the Nerazzurri have relied on in recent years.

The Frenchman had Diouf and Sucic behind him, but his performance inevitably faded as the match went on. The Milan game was his seventh consecutive start: 61 minutes against Parma, 67 against Bruges, 79 at Bologna, two full matches against Shakhtar and Fiorentina, followed by 86 minutes in Venice on October 28. Before the derby, he had already played 473 minutes since the end of the international break.

The alternatives were not in ideal condition. Bonny had a fever and had spent the night vomiting, while Pio Esposito was dealing with influenza that had prevented him from training at full intensity for several days. The young striker was also affected by a bereavement in his family. Both remained out until the 80th minute, leaving Thuram without a partner for most of the game.

After facing Fiorentina, Venezia and Milan, Inter will return to action on November 3 at 21:00 away to Feyenoord, in Champions League matchday four. Chivu is waiting for his forwards to recover in order to restore balance and options to the attack.