The defender confesses: “Inzaghi is a leader. Champions League? Everything is possible.”
Benjamin Pavard seems to be fully at ease in Inter’s new reality. The French defender, who has started in three out of the last four Serie A matches and both Champions League games, opened up in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, saying,
“I came here to add the second star to this jersey and give back to the fans the affection they showed me even before I signed, with all the messages I received on social media. They deserve major trophies.”
Pavard arrived in Milan after a lengthy and somewhat challenging negotiation with Bayern Munich, but he believes this was the right choice: “I was welcomed very well by everyone, from Coach Inzaghi to Javier Zanetti and my teammates. I discovered a great locker room.”
After seven years in Germany, I wanted a new challenge, new stimuli. Inter wanted me in January with a project that was exactly what I was looking for. The sports project allows me to play in my preferred role. I’ve been following Serie A for years, including the tactical aspect. Italy is the homeland of defenders, so all the conditions were there for this choice.
Who inspired me? Many, from Laurent Blanc to Walter Samuel, and more broadly, legends like Paolo Maldini and Lilian Thuram. They are all a source of inspiration. I’m 27 years old, and I can still improve and learn a lot. At Inter, I can fulfill myself.”
Regarding his coach, the former Bayern player has no doubts: “Inzaghi is a leader, a motivator, both in matches and during training. He’s an excellent coach who doesn’t underestimate any team. An example of what he asks differently from me? Playing the ball to the right side and then making forward runs, which I didn’t do at Bayern, where they told me to stay back, especially in a back three.”
The Serie A season is proving to be highly competitive, as evidenced by the recent draw against Bologna at home: “There’s no shortage of rivals here: Milan, Napoli, Juventus, Lazio, Fiorentina… But the season is long.”
I didn’t celebrate too much with Giroud and Theo after the derby win – he jokingly referred to his French national teammates – I’ll save that for later, if we win the league. The Champions League? Anything is possible, but we have to focus on ourselves, concentrate on our game, and continue to work hard.”
One of the things that has struck him the most is the affection of the Nerazzurri fans: “When I saw the flares, our fans banging on the windows of our bus to motivate us, the chants in a packed San Siro… I got goosebumps. I play football for this kind of emotion. I like passionate fans because I’m passionate too: we’ll understand each other.”
