Inter dealt big injury blow as Serie A side learn how long Marcus Thuram will be out with thigh injury

Thuram’s promising season hit a sudden hurdle after he sustained a thigh injury during Inter’s 3-0 Champions League win over Slavia Prague. Although he tried to reassure fans in a light-hearted post-match display, showing he was “fine,” medical tests have confirmed he will be out until at least October 25. This means Thuram will miss key Serie A clashes, including the clash against Roma, the Champions League fixture at Union Saint-Gilloise, and possibly a crucial away game against Napoli.

Thuram’s stats this season underline the magnitude of the blow: in seven league appearances, he has scored five goals and provided two assists. His absence removes one of Inter’s main attacking threats, forcing manager Chivu to rethink his forward options.

With Thuram sidelined, Inter’s attacking burden will likely fall on Pio Esposito and Ange Yoan Bonny. Bonny has shown glimpses of potential and is probably Chivu’s preferred backup striker. Esposito, meanwhile, could carve out more space and opportunity given Thuram’s absence, especially with his pace and agility. Esposito has featured in five league games, mostly as a substitute, scoring once, while Bonny has one goal in seven appearances. Chivu must decide whether to rely on experience, youth, or a combination of both to maintain attacking fluidity during this critical period.

Earlier, the Inter manager had also praised Esposito for his spectacular performance in their win against Sassuolo. The ex-Parma coach claimed he was pleased with Esposito's performance and believes the striker can mix well with others in the front while having the caliber to do a bit of everything.

Inter have been struggling with a poor run of form this season, marking their worst start in 14 years. Despite a strong opening 5-0 win over Torino, a loss to Udinese and a dramatic 4-3 defeat against Juventus have exposed vulnerabilities in the squad. The team has struggled against top Serie A sides, winning just three out of five matches and losing two, revealing issues in both attack and defense. Injuries, inconsistent performances from key players like Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu, and tactical challenges under new coach Chivu have contributed to this slide.

Inter could evolve tactically under Chivu by shifting from a traditional striker focus to a more fluid attack. Midfielders like Barella and Calhanoglu may push forward more aggressively, while wing-backs tuck in centrally to support build-up play. This change could make Inter less predictable and more versatile, turning the injury setback into a chance for tactical growth and new attacking options.