Eager to fly elsewhere to take on a new challenge last summer, Benjamin Pavard made a rather surprising choice to leave Bayern Munich to join Serie A and Inter Milan. The 2018 World Champion had signed for five seasons with the Nerazzurri and for an amount of 30 million euros, like a certain Marcus Thuram. All this, less than a year before Euro 2024 and while his place was not indisputable with the Blues.
An express adaptation
Switched between the position of central defender and that of right back since the start of his career, the ex-Lille player now plays in the center at Inter, in a three-way defense. “I came to play central defender, and not right back”, he also warned during his presentation in Italy. And quickly, the 27-year-old defender brought satisfaction to Simone Inzaghi’s eyes during his first months. But his good adaptation was unfortunately hampered for six months by a dislocated knee at the beginning of November.
Back as a starter at the start of the year, Benjamin Pavard has made a series of starts and has also shown himself sparkling in the Italian Super Cup, since he also remains capable of maintaining his full-back qualities, as evidenced by his pass decisive for Lautaro Martinez, in the final against Naples (1-0). “I am very happy with Benjamin Pavard. He is a perfect player for our gaming system. We absolutely wanted him and we are very happy with the choice we made”explained Inzaghi, his trainer.
Pavard made everyone agree against Juve
For the clash against Juventus on Sunday evening, the ex-Stuttgart and Bayern Munich player was unanimous. The Frenchman recovered 6 balls, blocked dangerous offensives and completed 93% of his passes, allowing the Milanese to win (1-0) and maintain a four-point lead at the top of Serie A. “Italian football is very tactical. I’m happy to be here. The level is very high, but I’m happy to be at Inter and I want to win the Championship.”he assured, after the victory.
In the Italian press, he also received unanimous approval by receiving a 7.5/10 in the Republic. “He has been at San Siro for 6 months, but the impression is that he was born there”, noted the daily. Same for Tuttosportwhich gives it 8/10. “Blessed is the day Inzaghi asked to go all-in on him. Everything is perfect with him”, explains the media in its columns. Finally, the Gazzetta dello Sport gave him a 7/10, specifying that he played a full and perfect match. Four months before Euro 2024, Benjamin Pavard is on cloud nine…
