Inter Milan's Star Defender Excels in Serie A: Outperforming Italy’s "New Beckenbauer"

Yesterday, Inter Milan's headquarters welcomed renowned agent Federico Pastorello, visiting as an intermediary for the Taremi deal. This suggests that the transfer of the Iranian forward to Inter is nearing its conclusion. Meanwhile, fresh off their Supercoppa Italiana victory, Inter Milan is resuming some temporarily postponed tasks—such as the debut of new signing Buchanan. This season, Inter completed a total of 13 transfers in the summer and winter windows combined. If Sensi's departure is included, it totals 13 outgoings as well. Impressively, this extensive overhaul has not led to instability, thanks to the diligent work of the transfer and coaching staff.

When evaluating the best signing among Inter's numerous new arrivals, many Italian media experts highlight Benjamin Pavard as a top candidate. A special feature by La Gazzetta dello Sport praises Pavard as "more than just a defender." The article commends Pavard's outstanding performances this season, noting his contributions far beyond those of a typical defender. "He supports the team, strives to do more, and often takes on the roles of both central midfielder and wing-back while primarily being a center-back. We can say that Inter has signed not just a defender but a complete player. Pavard has already become one of the most beloved players among Inter fans."

Pavard's Multifaceted Role

Pavard's versatility was on full display in the Supercoppa Italiana final. When Darmian was exhausted in the final stages of the match, and Inter's central midfielders focused more on advancing forward, Pavard handled the responsibilities of a center-back, wing-back, and even partially a midfielder. He effectively played the role of three players and provided the decisive assist, showcasing his incredible strength and versatility. This highlights the essence of football tactics—having truly exceptional players take on more responsibilities.

Statistical analysis further supports Pavard's dominance in Serie A. He excels in three key areas, proving himself the best center-back in the league. Firstly, his defensive robustness is unparalleled. Pavard leads Serie A defenders in successful defensive duels (both aerial and ground), surpassing even PSG's big spenders and renowned hard men like Dumfries and Dragusin. This dominance was anticipated even before his transfer, as OPTA noted Pavard's top-ranking defensive success rate during his time in the Bundesliga.

Passing Accuracy and Long Balls

Secondly, Pavard's forward passing accuracy is the highest among Serie A center-backs. On average, every 90 minutes, Pavard's forward passes advance the ball 361.9 yards (331 meters) into the opponent's half. Thirdly, his long pass accuracy also ranks first among Serie A center-backs. In football, long passes are defined as those exceeding 30 yards (approximately 27.5 meters). Among Inter players, Pavard attempts the most long passes per 90 minutes, with a success rate of 68.8%, second only to Inter's long-pass maestro Çalhanoğlu (69%).

This impressive performance is a pleasant surprise. Alessandro Bastoni, renowned for his precise long passes, was hailed as "the new Beckenbauer of Apennine" by Italian media. Finding another player with Bastoni's accuracy was considered difficult, but Pavard has proven otherwise. In terms of long passes and forward passes, Pavard is on par with Bastoni, possibly even better. With two such "distributors" in the central defense, Inter manager Simone Inzaghi finds himself in an enviable position.

Additional Strengths and Potential

Pavard also possesses other strengths and untapped potential. His shooting ability, both aerial and ground, is noteworthy. Despite not scoring yet, he has a 66.7% shot-on-target rate, the highest among all Inter players this season. His dribbling and ball-carrying capabilities are also significant, crucial for a center-back required to advance the ball forward rather than just passing. This ability is a reason why Tuchel insisted on playing Pavard as a wing-back.

Furthermore, Pavard's ability to deliver key passes, though only occasionally showcased in Serie A, is highly effective. He has made five passes into the penalty area, resulting in three key passes (the final pass before a shot), demonstrating high efficiency. In the Supercoppa Italiana final, when Inzaghi gave him more freedom to join the attack, Pavard created three golden opportunities in a short span. This suggests that with more offensive responsibility, Pavard's contributions could be even greater.

The Road Ahead for Inter Milan

With the ongoing transfer saga surrounding Dumfries and Darmian's fatigue, along with Buchanan's integration period, Inter's right wing-back position faces some challenges. However, such crises can also present opportunities. With Pavard's robust abilities and excellent form anchoring the right center-back position, Inter Milan can approach upcoming matches with greater confidence.

In summary, Pavard's exceptional skills in defense, forward passing, and long passes make him arguably the best center-back in Serie A. His potential to further develop his shooting, dribbling, and key passing abilities only adds to his value. As Inter Milan navigates the rest of the season, Pavard's presence provides a solid foundation, allowing the team to face challenges with confidence and resilience.