Champions League: Inter Milan-Atletico Madrid or a duel of French scorers
This is undoubtedly the most enticing duel of the round of 16 of the Champions League: Inter Milan hosts Atletico Madrid on Tuesday (8:00 p.m. UT) in the first leg against the backdrop of the clash between two fine French triggermen, Marcus Thuram and Antoine Griezmann.
Antoine Griezmann, scorer and guide of Atletico Madrid REUTERS - ISABEL INFANTES
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The Thuram express rushes towards Serie A
It's an understatement to say that Thuram has impressed since he joined Inter last summer after four seasons in the Bundesliga in Mönchengladbach. On the pitch, “Tikus” sparks. He scored his tenth league goal against Salernitana (4-0) on Friday and follows in the footsteps of Youri Djorkaeff who scored 14 goals in 1996-97 during his first season in the Nerazzurro jersey. His agreement with Lautaro Martinez, top scorer in the championship (20 goals), is largely responsible for the impressive performance of Inter Milan, leader of Serie A with nine points ahead of Juventus thanks to their 20 victories in 24 matches.
Since his arrival in Italy, the eldest son of Lilian Thuram has become comfortable in the center to be a prolific scorer and decisive passer (10 in the league). “
Since I was little, I have been told that one day I will be a No.9, which I didn't like very much, I wanted to stay on the wing, dribble and have the ball
,” he said. he confided to the Italian daily Corriere della Serra.
“
We had a discussion with my father, we said things to each other and I chose to play center forward
,” added the 2022 world vice-champion (16 caps, 2 goals) whose model is Karim Benzema.
Marcus Thuram, French striker for Inter Milan. REUTERS - DANIELE MASCOLO
Under the leadership of Simone Inzaghi who praises her involvement in training at the slightest opportunity, Thuram, 26, has already “
learned a lot in positioning and playing without the ball. But
, he warned,
I still have a lot to improve
.”
His impact is not limited to the field: he quickly became an important player in the locker room of the 2023 European vice-champions thanks to his good humor and his mastery of Italian.
“
We have a group that loves to play and be together, I feel like I’ve been here for years
,” he said.
Griezmann on mission
At 32, the 2018 world champion is simply “unplayable”, as he said to the French press last November. “I know that the club, the coach, my teammates trust me and that helps me to be myself. And it’s true that, in my game, I’m having a lot of fun at the moment,” he declared.
If he has slowed down a bit after becoming the top scorer in Atlético's history in January, "Grizou" is certainly in the form of his life and is shining in a team that is much more playful than in the past. Repositioned at the forefront of a 3-5-2 alongside Alvaro Morata, the Maconnais (127 caps, 44 goals) carries Atlético on his shoulders with 18 goals and six assists in all competitions. He is at the top of the C1 scorers' ranking with five goals, tied with his friend Alvaro Morata, the Norwegian Erling Haaland and the Dane Rasmus Hojlund.
“
He is having a fantastic season and is excellent in any position. He is the best player in Europe
,” said its president, Enrique Cerezo.
Griezmann, sparkling in the group stage, will arrive fresh in Milan after being spared this weekend by his coach Diego Simeone, who returns on Tuesday to the club where he played as a player (1996-99).
“
He'll probably be angry because he didn't play. But I thought he needed to take a break so that we could find a great Griezmann
,” explained the Argentine technician at a press conference.
Great architect of the success of the Colchoneros in the Europa League in 2018 (against OM 3-0), and unfortunate finalist of the Champions League in 2016 (against Real on penalties), the N.7 dreams of continuing to write his legend to Giuseppe Meazza.
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