Taremi acknowledges lack of form at Inter: ‘I’ve played on painkillers’ | OneFootball

Inter striker Mehdi Taremi has admitted that he has not performed to the best of his ability since joining the Nerazzurri from Porto in the summer, but has revealed that he, like Marcus Thuram, has been playing on painkillers at various points this season.

The Iran international starts up front for Inter alongside Thuram in the Champions League round of 16 second leg in San Siro on Tuesday night.

You can follow the action as it unfolds on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Mehdi Taremi of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Italian Super Cup Final between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Kingdom Arena on January 06, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images)

Taremi joined Inter on a free transfer in the summer after the end of his contract with Porto, where he netted exactly a goal every other game with 91 strikes from 182 appearances across all competitions, but has struggled to get going in Italy with one goal from 20 league appearances to his name. Many of those appearances have come off the bench.

Taremi: ‘I know the fans expected more, it’s difficult to play in pain’

Speaking to Sky Sport Italia ahead of kick-off on Tuesday night, the 32-year-old said that he knows the supporters expected more from him this season.

“I’ve had a lot of injuries this year and I’ve often played on painkillers. I know the fans expected more, but it’s difficult to play when you’re in pain.

“I will do my best to meet expectations. We will have to be competitive and united, it will definitely be a good match.”

Taremi’s strike partner Thuram has also opened up recently about the reality of playing through pain and having to rely on pain killers.

They will both start up front together against Feyenoord in the absence of captain Lautaro Martinez, who has been struggling with muscular fatigue over the last few days.

Click here for the team news ahead of Inter-Feyenoord.