Gazzetta: Bonny could challenge Pio Esposito for a starting spot

Choosing Marcus Thuram’s strike partner could become less straightforward for Cristian Chivu. According to Italian sports newspaper la Gazzetta dello Sport, Bonny’s performance at Bologna puts him in contention to challenge Pio Esposito for a starting place while Inter are without the injured Lautaro Martínez. That is the scenario the newspaper outlines after comparing the pair’s performances at Bologna’s Stadio Dall’Ara: a move up the pecking order for the former Parma forward remains a possibility, with the decision resting with the coach.

So far, the set-up described by la Gazzetta has Thuram leading the line, Esposito alongside him and Bonny providing an option from the bench. At Bologna, however, the newspaper’s assessment was that the young centre-forward paid the price for his frequent appearances for club and country: he lost duels, picked up an avoidable booking and failed to take a clear chance late in the first half. The newspaper describes him as looking weighed down by his recent exertions.

Bonny made a different contribution after coming on before the hour mark, giving the attack more threat and finding the net again: his goal at the Dall’Ara was his third of the season. La Gazzetta adds a qualification to the comparison: the whole team stepped up a gear in the second half, so the improvement in attack cannot be attributed solely to the switch between the two forwards.

The precedent cited by the newspaper is the home game against Udinese, when Chivu rested Lautaro and all three of the other forwards scored: Thuram, Esposito and Bonny. This time, the Argentinian’s absence is enforced following his injury against Club Brugge. In la Gazzetta’s view, the competition for a starting place could continue over the coming month: the decision is whether to keep using Bonny off the bench or give him more opportunities from the start.