Inter Milan faces a major blow just days before the Coppa Italia final against Lazio: Marcus Thuram, one of the team’s key players, may be sidelined for the season’s most anticipated match. The French forward sustained an injury during Monday’s training, casting a shadow of uncertainty over Cristian Chivu’s strategy, the Nerazzurri’s coach.
The Milan team, which secured its 21st Scudetto earlier this month, is one step away from achieving the coveted domestic double, something that hasn’t happened since 2010 when they won the historic treble under José Mourinho. Chivu, who was part of the ‘Special One’ squad during that memorable season, now has the opportunity to etch his name in the club’s history, but Thuram’s injury could complicate plans.
Sources close to the club, including the prestigious newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, confirmed that Thuram had to stop training due to a physical problem. The 28-year-old forward will undergo clinical tests this Tuesday to assess the severity of the injury, but preliminary news is discouraging. According to information from FcInterNews, it is almost certain that Thuram will not be fit for Wednesday’s final, as a full recovery seems unlikely in such a short timeframe.
This setback is particularly severe for Inter, as Thuram has been in impressive form. In the last friendly match against Lazio, although he did not score, he was decisive in assisting Lautaro Martínez for the opening goal. The absence of the Frenchman leaves a significant gap in the Nerazzurri’s attack, forcing Chivu to rethink his 3-5-2 formation.
The big question now is whether Francesco Pio Esposito will be fit to line up alongside Argentine captain Lautaro Martínez. If not, it will be Yoan Ange Bonny who takes the spot in attack. The young former Parma forward has already shown quality by assisting Henrikh Mkhitaryan for the third goal in the last match, and he could be the surprise option to try to unlock Lazio’s defense.
This Coppa Italia final is taking on dramatic contours, with Inter fighting not only against a strong opponent but also against the adversity caused by significant injuries. The anticipation is high, and Milanese fans hope that Chivu can find solutions to keep alive the ambition of winning a trophy that has been missing from the club’s museum for over a decade.
Stay tuned for updates, as this story promises many twists and turns until the final whistle in Rome.
This article first appeared on Apito Final.
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