Thuram eyes France recall as in-form Inter striker targets derby drought

Marcus Thuram goes into tonight’s derby as Inter’s most important player, and he is hoping to earn a recall to the France squad.

According to the Corriere dello Sport, the 29-year-old has stepped up with Lautaro Martínez out injured. He has started all six games since the October international break and has scored in three straight league matches, against Parma, Bologna and Fiorentina. He also forced the first of Venezia’s two own goals in Wednesday’s 2-0 win.

Cristian Chivu confirmed on Friday that Thuram is in good shape despite his heavy workload.

Thuram looks to end derby drought

Milan have been a problem for Thuram for some time. His last goal against them came in Inter’s last derby win, on 22 April 2024, the night they sealed the Scudetto and their second star. Injuries have since kept him out of three derbies across Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana.

He’s expected to start up front tonight with Francesco Pio Esposito, or Ange-Yoan Bonny. After that comes a busy week before the break, with a Champions League trip to Feyenoord and a home game against Como.

If his form holds, Corriere believes Didier Deschamps’ successor, Zinédine Zidane, will find it hard to leave him out of the France squad this time.