Inter secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Fiorentina, with Marcus Thuram playing a pivotal role in the late stages of the Serie A encounter. The Frenchman was named Man of the Match after scoring a crucial equaliser and then winning the penalty that sealed the win for his side.
Thuram found the net with a late equaliser, bringing Inter level in the 90th minute. Following this, he earned a penalty kick, which Piotr Zielinski calmly converted to secure all three points for Inter. After his goal, Thuram imitated the celebration of injured Inter captain Lautaro Martinez, to whom he dedicated his strike. He noted that Martinez is usually the one scoring in the final minutes. Reflecting on the team’s resilience, Thuram highlighted the squad’s belief in their ability to win games in the dying moments, understanding that every match is a long contest.
The forward also reflected on recent refereeing decisions, mentioning a previous booking for diving during an away game at Bologna. He expressed his belief that errors can occur, stating it felt strange that referees often seemed to think he was diving. Thuram stressed the importance of continuing to challenge opponents and create opportunities inside the box, confident that penalties would eventually be awarded, as happened against Fiorentina. Looking ahead, Thuram shared his desire for a French player to win the Ballon d’Or, naming Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Michael Olise as talented compatriots who could achieve the honour.
Piotr Zielinski, who scored the winning penalty in the 97th minute, spoke about the pressure of the moment. Despite the significance, he stated he felt calm and confident before taking the spot-kick, expressing happiness with the outcome and the need for the team to maintain their momentum. Zielinski also highlighted the team’s excellent results, noting that Inter has generally played well, with the exception of a match against Brugge, and that they are not concerned by external criticism.