Inter Milan's Sharpshooter Brings Joy and Hope to the Team

Inter Milan cruised to an impressive 4-0 victory over Atalanta, continuing a run of remarkable records. Since the start of last season, Inter remains unbeaten against teams in the top eight of Serie A, with an astonishing record of 12 wins and 3 draws from 15 matches. Even against formidable sides like Atalanta, who have scored in 22 of their last 24 Serie A matches, both of their scoreless games came against Inter. Additionally, Nicolò Barella has become the only midfielder in Serie A to record both goals and assists in each of the past eight seasons, and Benjamin Pavard, after being left out of the national team, quickly healed his wounds with a crucial assist. However, the player who brought the greatest joy to the San Siro this weekend was none other than Marcus Thuram, the electrifying French forward.

As Thuram faced a sea of over 70,000 fans roaring his name, he raised his hands to his ears, inviting the crowd's cheers to grow even louder. The Italian media was effusive in its praise: "Thuram has brought smiles and hope to Inter." The smiles are easy to understand; even in moments of intense focus, like winning the Man of the Match award, Thuram's demeanor brings an unmistakable lightness and joy. But what about the hope? That deserves a deeper look. What kind of hope does Thuram bring?

Thuram's Golden Boot Ambition

First and foremost, there is hope for Marcus Thuram himself as he sets his sights on winning the Capocannoniere, the Serie A Golden Boot. With four goals in the first three rounds of the league (not to mention his assists, penalty wins, and an own goal he forced), Thuram has become just the fourth Inter player in the three-points-for-a-win era to reach this milestone early in the season. The other three players are Christian Vieri (4 goals in 1999-2000 and 2002-03), Mauro Icardi (5 goals in 2017-18), and Lautaro Martínez (5 goals in 2023-24). Out of these four instances, three players went on to win the Golden Boot, with the lone exception being Vieri, who was sidelined by injury.

The Italian media has noted that under manager Simone Inzaghi, Thuram's expected goal tally has significantly increased from his 15 goals across all competitions last season. As a result, major betting companies have already adjusted their odds, making Thuram one of the favorites for this year's top scorer award.

A Stellar Start Driven by Determination

Several factors have contributed to Thuram's impressive form at the start of the season. As Inzaghi noted post-match, Thuram’s determination and hunger have been key. After speaking with Inzaghi during the off-season, Thuram learned of the team's need for a striker. He decided to cut his vacation short and fully commit to his training regimen. His excellent form at the beginning of the season is rooted in the hard work he put in during the summer.

Additionally, Inter has continued the tactical approach from last season, with Lautaro Martínez dropping deeper while Thuram makes runs forward. When Thuram first joined Inter, his finishing was somewhat lacking compared to more traditional number 9s—a weakness that, even now, he continues to work on. However, a year of intense “number nine” training has visibly improved his finishing skills, as evidenced by his ability to capitalize on two crucial chances against Atalanta.

The Player Who Shines in Big Matches

Thuram's knack for performing in big games offers Inter another reason to hope. The Frenchman has shown a remarkable ability to make a difference in high-stakes situations, particularly on the road. This could prove vital as Inter navigates the challenges of a tough Champions League campaign. Since joining Inter, Thuram has scored 19 goals and provided 16 assists in 49 appearances, but two particular attributes stand out.

First, he thrives in matches against strong opposition. In two Milan derbies, he has found the back of the net. Against Atalanta, he has scored four goals, provided one assist, and forced an own goal across two matches. He has also registered an assist against Juventus and contributed a goal and an assist in two encounters with Benfica. Against Roma and Lazio, he has been involved in four goals.

A closer examination reveals that of the 35 goal involvements in his Inter career, 20 have come against teams competing in European competitions, demonstrating a significantly higher performance level in these games compared to those against lower or mid-table sides.

Second, Thuram's effectiveness is not limited to home matches. In 26 home games at the San Siro, he has recorded 10 goals and 8 assists in 1,907 minutes, averaging a goal involvement every 105.9 minutes. In 23 away games, he has scored 9 goals and provided 8 assists in 1,704 minutes, averaging a goal contribution every 100 minutes. His ability to perform on the road is a trait that Inter should capitalize on, especially in their European campaign.

Inter's Champions League Challenge

The draw for the Champions League has placed Inter in a tough group, where they will face RB Leipzig, Arsenal, Red Star Belgrade, and AS Monaco at home, while their away fixtures include trips to Manchester City, Bayer Leverkusen, Young Boys, and Sparta Prague. According to data-driven predictions, in this format, the key point thresholds are likely to be 12, 15, or 17 points from the 8 matches. A haul of 12 points would provide a strong chance of finishing in the top 24, at least earning a playoff spot; 15 points would likely secure a place in the top 16, giving them a slight advantage in the playoffs against the teams ranked 17th to 24th; 17 points could secure a top-eight finish and direct qualification to the Round of 16.

If Inter hopes to advance further, their goal should be to secure at least 15 points from the first stage's eight matches. Under this format, merely playing well in the home fixtures will not be enough. In their four away games, apart from the daunting challenge at the Etihad Stadium, the other three matches are ones where they can—and must—aim for maximum points.

In such scenarios, Thuram’s qualities—particularly his knack for scoring against strong teams and his proficiency in away matches—will be essential. With Thuram in top form, Inter fans have every reason to believe that the team can achieve its ambitious targets this season.

Inter Milan's recent record-breaking run and Thuram's inspiring performances are giving the Nerazzurri faithful much to smile about. More than that, they are providing hope that the team can continue to compete at the highest levels domestically and in Europe. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on the French forward to see if he can maintain his blistering start and help guide Inter to further glory.