During the clash between Internazionale and AS Roma last weekend was the match between the strikers Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Thuram a “match within a match”. The latter won with flying colors. Not only did AS Roma lose 1-0, but also for Lukaku personally the return to success was a turning point Guiseppe Meazza Stadium to a great disappointment. The Red Devil was barely involved in the game and was a shadow of his former self. He was subsequently severely criticized by the Italian press.
What a contrast with Marcus Thuram, who is already forming a new golden striker tandem at Inter Lautaro Martinez. The Nerazzurri dominated the entire match and Roma was able to hold on for a long time, but 10 minutes from the end Thuram struck mercilessly. Due to the 1-0, Lukaku was given a heel on his return – he was treated to a blistering flute concert for 90 minutes every time he touched the ball – and Inter takes the lead in Serie A again.
Inter’s supporters didn’t even need that symbolic goal to be convinced of the added value of the son of the French football legend Lilian Thuram. Since his arrival in Milan, the 26-year-old French attacker has charmed everyone with his work ethic and efficiency. In 13 games so far (across all competitions) he has already been good 5 goals and 7 assists. These statistics indicate that Thuram does not only think about himself but is a team player.
Top transfer
Another aspect with which the French former striker who emerged at Guingamp immediately convinced any doubters was his performance in the top matches. He made his mark in the Milan derby, in the Champions League he scored an important goal and in the prestige match with AS Roma he was again the saving angel. Then you are there for the big moments. Just the opposite of what Lukaku was sometimes accused of at Inter (and actually at all his previous clubs): strong against the “smaller” opponents, but too often absent in the top matches.
Marcus Thuram grew into a celebrity in a short time and is one of the first names to coach Simone Inzaghi on his score sheet. What makes it all that little bit sweeter for Inter’s club directors: Thuram came over for free this summer Borussia Monchengladbach, where his contract ended after four seasons. In short: a golden thing!
“Lukaku is the past”
Intercoach Inzaghi was, of course, also very pleased with his new striker. “He is a boy who works very hard, who pays a lot of attention to details, both on and off the field. The fact that his integration went so smoothly is due to his knowledge of Italian and the efforts of his teammates,” Inzaghi said after the victory against AS Roma.
The Intercoach did not say a word about Lukaku. Unlike its CEO Guiseppe Marotta, for whom the failed transfer of the former player still resonates. He told Gazzetta dello Sport: “Lukaku is a thing of the past. There is no one within the club who still thinks about him. But really no one. In football you have to take these kinds of situations into account. Lukaku is not the first to initially indicate that he wants to stay at Inter, but ultimately moves to another team.” Still a sour remark, despite what his words want to convey.
Perhaps a somewhat premature conclusion, because despite Thuram’s stellar start at Inter, it remains to be seen whether he can produce as many credentials as our compatriot in the longer term. Lukaku scored 78 goals and a national title in 132 games for the Nerazzuri. Just stand there!
The program of the 11th matchday in Serie A on Eleven Sports:
Saturday November 4
Sunday November 5
- AS Rome – US Lecce: at 6pm on Eleven 1
- ACF Fiorentina – Juventus FC: at 8:45 PM on Eleven 2
Follow Serie A all season long on Eleven Sports channels, available in the TV option Pickx Sports from Proximus.
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