Inter Milan & France Star Credits Italy Legend For Lethal Goalscoring Instincts: ‘I Learned To Score Watching Him’

Inter Milan striker Marcus Thuram feels that the influence of Christian Vieri was key to him developing as a goalscorer.

The Frenchman spoke to Italian broadcaster DAZN, via FCInterNews, after the Nerazzurri’s 6-0 Serie A thrashing of Lazio. He said that he’s learned from watching videos of Vieri.

Inter striker Thuram once again showed what an accomplished goalscorer he is this evening.

The 27-year-old has not always been a marksman in his career.

In fact, for much of his career before he joined Inter, Thuram did not play as a striker.

Rather, the versatile Frenchman tended to play out wide, and then in an attacking midfield position. He relied on his pace and dribbling ability, but wasn’t a huge penalty area threat.

Inter signed Thuram to be a striker, however. The idea was always for him to be an out-and-out Number Nine.

Inter Striker Marcus Thuram Credits Christian Vieri For Goalscoring Instincts

Last season, Thuram thrived playing alongside Inter captain Lautaro Martinez.

The pair of strikers showed a great level of understanding and complementary.

Both seemed to always know when to alternate. One would push forward while the other would drop deeper as a second striker.

But this season Thuram has been more aggressive.

The former Borussia Monchengladbach striker is now on eleven goals in Serie A. That’s just one behind Atalanta’s Mateo Retegui in the scoring charts for the division.

This owes a lot to Thuram being more confident and aggressive, and having greater goal-poaching instincts.

And as the France international showed this evening, he can use his pace and strength to get past a defender, and then turn and shoot with great technique, composure, and timing.

Thuram admitted that he told legendary former striker Vieri that “I learned to become a goalscorer after watching videos of him.”

Of the emphatic victory over Lazio, Thuram said that “It was important for us to get this win against a great team.”

“I’m happy,” the 27-year-old beamed.

And Thuram also admitted that “when [Hakan Calhanoglu] tells me I’ll score… I score.”