‘Chasing Shadows’ – Lautaro & Thuram Under Fire For Hapless Performances In Napoli 1-1 Inter Milan Serie A Draw | OneFootball

Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram are facing severe criticism for their performances in yesterday’s Serie A draw between Napoli and Inter Milan.

Today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, argue that the pair were “chasing shadows” against the Napoli backline.

Inter Milan striker Marcus Thuram was back for yesterday’s Serie A clash with Napoli.

The Frenchman’s return from injury was the big team news for the top-of-the-table showdown.

Meanwhile, it was clearly always going to be Inter captain Lautaro Martinez who Thuram would partner.

The two strikers have been a driving force for Inter for the past couple seasons.

And the Nerazzurri will have been happy to see Thuram and Martinez leading the line yesterday.

Lautaro & Thuram “Chasing Shadows” In Napoli 1-1 Inter Milan Draw

In truth, any optimism about having the first-choice strike partnership back would have been misplaced.

Inter captain Martinez had little impact in the penalty area.

UDINE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 28: Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale during a pause in play at the Serie A match between Udinese and FC Internazionale at Stadio Friuli on September 28, 2024 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)

The Argentine hardly gave a decisive answer to questions about his big game credentials. He looked half a step off the pace compared to Napoli defenders Alessandro Buongiorno and Amir Rrahmani.

And that was even more the case with the returning Thuram.

Once again, the former Borussia Monchengladbach striker looked as though he has yet to really shake off his ankle problem. He was not at his explosive best.

In the first half, as Inter had plenty of dangerous moves, neither of their star strikers were able to finish any of them off.

And then in the second half as Napoli penned Inter in their own half, things got even worse.

There were token attempts by Martinez and Thuram to hold up the ball to offer their team a route up the pitch.

But the Napoli defenders routinely outmuscled the Nerazzurri pair.