Inter have been dealt a fresh blow at the FIFA Club World Cup as star forward Marcus Thuram has been ruled out with a muscular injury.
The French striker’s absence adds pressure ahead of Saturday’s must-win group match against Urawa Red Diamonds.
Marcus Thuram Injury
Reports from Gianluca Di Marzio and Sky Sport Italia confirm that Thuram sustained a flexor muscle strain following Inter’s 1-1 draw against CF Monterrey in their tournament opener at the Rose Bowl.
The injury reportedly occurred during a post-match training session in the early hours of Wednesday morning (CET).
Thuram had already been carrying minor fitness concerns before the game and did not start the match, with new head coach Cristian Chivu opting to rest him.
Sebastiano Esposito, who returned from a loan spell at Empoli, was paired with Lautaro Martinez in attack instead.
Inter Attacking Crisis
Inter’s forward depth is now under serious strain. With Marko Arnautovic not included in the Club World Cup squad, Thuram’s injury significantly limits Chivu’s options in the final third.
Thuram did come off the bench against Monterrey in the second half but showed signs of discomfort shortly after.
The club is monitoring his condition daily, but multiple sources indicate he is unlikely to be fit in time for Saturday’s clash with Japanese champions Urawa Red Diamonds.
That leaves Inter with Lautaro Martinez and the Esposito brothers — Sebastiano and Salvatore — as their only available attacking options.
Whether this changes their transfer plans remains to be seen, as reports indicated that Inter were closing in on a swap deal involving Sebastiano Esposito with Parma for Ange-Yoan Bonny.
The 21-year-old striker is expected to join Inter this summer, but whether Esposito goes the other way in a player-plus-cash agreement could change following Thuram’s injury.
Inter Club World Cup
Inter’s 1-1 draw with Monterrey leaves them with little room for error in Group E. A win against Urawa is now imperative if they are to keep their hopes alive of progressing to the knockout stage of the tournament.
Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 BST on Saturday, and Cristian Chivu faces a tactical challenge with a depleted frontline.
With high stakes and limited firepower, Inter fans and bettors alike are keeping a close eye on the team’s evolving situation.
For those following the odds and match predictions, the best betting apps offer full coverage of the FIFA Club World Cup, including Inter’s updated tournament chances.
