Chivu: Thuram’s injury ‘not serious’ but ‘can’t reveal’ Inter replacement | OneFootball

Cristian Chivu insists Marcus Thuram’s injury is ‘not serious’ and the Inter coach seems to have already decided on the striker’s replacement against Cremonese, but he ‘can’t reveal it.’

Inter are preparing to host Cremonese at San Siro in the last game before the international break on Saturday.

Thuram suffered a hamstring injury during Tuesday’s Champions League game against Slavia Prague and is expected to remain out of action for a month.

Latest Thuram injury update

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 30: Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale competes for the ball with Murphy Dorley of SK Slavia Praha during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between FC Internazionale Milano and SK Slavia Praha at Stadio San Siro on September 30, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“Marcus was the player who came off first in Cagliari, so he had a few extra minutes to rest. Against Slavia, I saw him and Lautaro as the pair that could cause the most problems,” Chivu said at a press conference on Friday via FcInter1908.

“He was enjoying himself and feeling good, but unfortunately, injuries are always around the corner, and it’s disappointing on a human level. The injury is not too serious; he just needs a bit of time before we have him back with us.”

Lautaro Martinez will surely start against Cremonese tomorrow, while Thuram will be replaced by either Ange-Yoan Bonny or Francesco Pio Esposito.

The latter has already started two games across all competitions, including one in the Champions League, while Bonny has collected seven appearances, but all as a substitute.

Chivu ‘can’t reveal’ Thuram’s replacement

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 30: FC Internazionale coach Cristian Chivu issues instructions to his players during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between FC Internazionale Milano and SK Slavia Praha at Stadio San Siro on September 30, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

One of them will partner with Lautaro in the Nerazzurri XI on Saturday.

“We’ll see tomorrow,” said Chivu.

“I have an idea, at 90%, I’ve already decided who will play alongside Lautaro, but I can’t reveal it.”

Chivu then praised Bonny by saying that the only thing he’s missing is a “starting spot” as the former Parma striker has “never missed a training session, so his turn will come sooner or later.”

Inter have collected nine points in six Serie A games this term, but host Cremonese on the back of four consecutive victories across all competitions, in which they scored nine goals and conceded just once.

“We’ve found balance, we’re more careful even when we try to attack,” Chivu explained.

“I’m happy because I always start from the principle of not conceding goals and having an organised and focused team, with a strong desire not to concede.”