Inter Milan coach has promoted the recruitment of Benjamin Pavard this summer to create flexibility for the defense in the preparation phase.
This according to today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews.
This summer, Inter made 27-year-old France international Pavard their marquee signing in defense.
The Frenchman arrived as the replacement for Milan Skriniar on the right side of the back three.
Rather than spending big on a striker, Inter invested in their top target to replace Skriniar. And they did so by signing a player with a bit of a different profile than the Slovakian.
And in the view of Tuttosport, that fact is highly significant.
With Skriniar in the back three, Inter’s buildup play was generally somewhat predictable.
Whilst the former Sampdoria defender was no slouch in possession, he was not as technically proficient or attack-minded as Alessandro Bastoni on the left side of the defense.
Therefore, the Nerazzurri’s buildup play tended to have something of a left-sided tilt.
With Pavard, however, Inter have signed a player who more or less mirrors Bastoni’s profile.
Whilst the 27-year-old has made his preference for playing a defensive role clear, he is capable of playing at fullback.
Pavard is comfortable venturing forward to support the attack, driving into space, playing a variety of long and short passes forward, and crossing into the penalty area.
This means that, when both Pavard and Bastoni are on the pitch, it will theoretically be more difficult for opposition teams to simply mark one of the pair more closely to diminish their influence.
Either of the two can bring a similar dimension to the buildup phase. Therefore, the Nerazzurri will be harder to predict or develop a strategy to stop.
Moreover, Inzaghi will have the ability to rest Bastoni more frequently.
If the Italian is not on the pitch, having Pavard on the other side will lend the team similar qualities.
Moreover, Tuttosport note, Inzaghi had wanted to sign a player who is proficient in the buildup phase to replace Andre Onana.
The Cameroonian goalkeeper’s technical quality and proactive style were crucial for Inter last season.
Therefore, Pavard’s arrival may not directly replace Onana. But it adds a similar kind of influence to play.