Inter’s Thuram Injury Sparks a Fresh Spark: Boni Could Lead the Charge in Europe

Injury Update and Opportunity

Inter Milan forward Marcus Thuram picked up a left thigh strain during the Champions League clash with Slavia Prague. He exited the match in the 66th minute and was replaced by his compatriot Yuan Boni, raising alarms about Inter’s attacking firepower as a key contributor for the season.

The medical outlook points to approximately 30 days of recovery, a tough blow for Inter who rely on Thuram’s presence in both Serie A and Europe.

Performance Snapshot

Thuram, aged 28, has featured in five Serie A games this campaign, all as a starter, totaling 375 minutes with four goals and one assist. In the Champions League, he started both of Inter’s first two matches, accumulating 153 minutes and contributing three goals (two goals, one assist).

Across five league appearances, he registered 17 shots (6 on target) with 12 from open play and 4 from set-pieces, finishing eight shots with his right foot, two with his left, and seven headed efforts. He produced 16 attempts inside the box and one outside, and won nine aerial duels while regaining possession five times in the final third.

In Europe, Thuram’s two-game late-run saw him net three goals (2 tallies, 1 assist) and total 12 attempts, with six on his right foot, four headers, and two with his left. He won about 81% of his 9 aerial duels and recovered the ball five times, twice more in the final third.

Competition and Outlook

The injury has opened a competing path for Boni and Bi Espozietto to start alongside Lautaro Martinez. Boni, who joined from Parma, looked ready to feature, with reports suggesting he could start against Cremonese at Giuseppe Meazza and make an impact from the outset.

In short, Boni delivered a bright debut, scoring five minutes after coming on, though subsequent minutes varied in league and Europe. Espozietto has also been involved in Inter’s squad; in league play he has appeared three times, starting one and scoring in 125 minutes, while in the Champions League he played one start and two sub appearances for 113 minutes without a goal. Inter currently sits fifth in Serie A with 9 points from five matches (3 wins, 2 losses) and fourth in Group with 6 points in Europe, level with Bayern, Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain.