Legendary Germany star Lothar Matthaus says Inter Milan newcomer Marcus Thuram has different characteristics than Romelu Lukaku.
The 62-year-old is a former Nerazzurri player, serving the club between 1988 and 1992. During that period, he famously lifted the 1990 World Cup in Rome at the expense of Diego Maradona’s Argentina.
The German hero praises Inter for their summer transfer dealings. However, he warns them against asking Thuram to emulate Lukaku’s playing style.
“With fewer mistakes in front of goal, the Champions League trophy would have been in Milano now,” rues Matthaus in his interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport via FcInterNews.
“Now there is a whole new team. Fresh, young and unpredictable. Inter can replicate the same results, although it won’t be easy.
“At Mönchengladbach, Thuram had often found the goal. You’ve already seen him, he has everything: Physique and technique at speed, and is ready to explode in a top team.
“But in my opinion, he’s not a traditional Number 9. Compared to him, Lautaro or Arnautovic are more natural centre-forwards.
“Marcus likes to exploit the spaces on the flanks. So don’t ask him to emulate Lukaku’s role inside the penalty box.”
Speaking of Lukaku, Matthaus says he wasn’t surprised by the whole transfer saga. The 30-year-old was looking to join Juventus but eventually ended up at AS Roma.
“In football, nothing surprises me. For me, Lukaku was and remains one of the best strikers in the world. I think he would have done well at Bayern too.
“Inzaghi had a different vision and always put him on the bench. The club, however, has made precise choices, following the coach’s philosophy and thinking about the future, which is why it is useless to dwell on the past.”
Inter Milan Legend Lothar Matthaus Explains The Difference In Characteristics Between Romelu Lukaku And Marcus Thuram
The German also offered some insight into Inter’s new goalkeeper Yann Sommer. He also revealed why Benjamin Pavard was eager to leave Bayern Munich.
“Sommer won’t be among the best goalkeepers in the world. But you can still count on him.
“On the pitch, he’s always focused. In the locker room, he’s silent and calm. Let’s just say he’s different compared to Walter Zenga who was there during my time at Inter.
“Former Bayern managers Salihamidzic and Kahn had promised Pavard that they would let him go in the summer.
“But then everything changed at the club even the coach. So they wanted to keep him at Bayern.
“Yet, Benji convinced them to let him go. I know him well, he is a super professional player.
“At Bayern, he was in a superior team, but he no longer wanted to play at fullback. He feels like a natural centre-back and Inter had made a great impression on him.”
