As of: February 11, 2024, 5:27 a.m
By: Korbinian Kothny
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Press
Split
For four years, Benjamin Pavard was one of FC Bayern's long-running favorites.
In the summer, the Frenchman moved to Inter Milan - and impressed there with another ex-FCB star.
Munich / Milan – FC Bayern’s winter transfer window was marked by the search for a new central and right-back.
In the end, the German record champions introduced Eric Dier and Sacha Boey as new hopefuls.
About 500 kilometers from the Bavarian capital, another defensive specialist is currently playing well, with whom the Munich team would probably not have had any worries in the first place.
Benjamin Pavard and Yann Sommer impress at Inter Milan
We're talking about Benjamin Pavard.
After his summer move to Inter Milan, FC Bayern's long-time right-back seems to have really arrived in the Italian fashion capital.
In the last four competitive games, the Nerazzurri remained without conceding a goal against Lazio Rome, SSC Napoli, AC Florence and Juventus Turin - with Pavard and also goalkeeper Yann Sommer mostly in the spotlight.
The Swiss escaped from the returning Manuel Neuer from Munich in the summer and is the undisputed number one in Milan.
In 22 league games, Sommer only had to defend himself ten times.
The 35-year-old kept a clean slate a total of 13 times.
Both league best!
After initial adjustment difficulties - also due to injuries - Pavard was always in the starting line-up in the last four competitive games and particularly excelled in the top game against Juventus Turin on Sunday.
Pavard was voted 'Man of the match' by the fans and the Italian media showered the world champion with praise.
Benjamin Pavard and Yann Sommer impress at Inter Milan.
© IMAGO/Jonathan Moscrop
Italian media celebrates Pavard
“May the day be blessed when Inzaghi (Inter coach,
editor’s note
) asked to bet everything on him,” wrote
Tuttsport
on Monday.
The
Corriere dello Sport
described Pavard as the “new idol of Inter fans”, while La
Republicca
summarized: “He has developed into a mainstay of Inter within four months.” Also the Serie A expert Gauillaume Maillard-Pacini from
Eurosport
praised: “The 30 million euros to FC Bayern were a bargain.”
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Pavard moved from the Isar to northern Italy for exactly that sum in the summer and is now an integral part of the Inter starting line-up.
Last year's Champions League finalist leads Serie A by four points after 22 match days - thanks in part to Sommer and Pavard.
In Milan, the Frenchman will also be used in his preferred position in a three-man chain as right central defender.
FC Bayern brings in Sacha Boey as Pavard's replacement
The desire to play in the middle permanently was also a reason for the ex-Bayern star to leave FC Bayern after four years.
In Munich, the right-footer was primarily used as a full-back.
Would that have also been the case in the current season?
As is well known, the Munich team suffered from massive personnel problems in the first half of the season - especially in central defense.
At times even Leon Goretzka or Noussair Mazraoui had to help out in the defensive center.
In the right-back position, the German record champions brought in compatriot Sacha Boey as a replacement six months late - for the same 30 million euros that Pavard brought in in the summer.
It remains to be seen whether Bayern have achieved a real upgrade...
(kk)