Defender Benjamin Pavard has been criticized for his defensively lacklustre display in Inter Milan’s Serie A draw with Monza.
Today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, give the Frenchman a score of just 5/10 for his performance. Federico Dimarco, on the other hand, receives a 7/10 grade.
Inter coach Simone Inzaghi made significant rotations to his starting eleven for yesterday evening’s match.
However, that did not mean that the coach did not use any of his regular starters.
In defense, Pavard lined up on the right side of Inter’s back three.
The 29-year-old formed a back three alongside Stefan de Vrij and Carlos Augusto, Both of the latter pair were making their first starts of the season.
Benjamin Pavard Criticized For Defensive Lapses In Monza Vs Inter Draw
But it was not Pavard who gave Inter’s defense stability.
On the contrary, the Corriere deems de Vrij and Augusto to be worthy of 6/10 and 6.5/10 scores respectively for their performances.
Both of the other two defenders in Inter’s backline were basically solid in their defending of Inter’s penalty area.
The physicality and positioning from both was solid and largely denied Monza any good chances.
But the one great opportunity from which the Brianzoli scored was largely the fault of Pavard.
This occurred when Monza defender Armando Izzo stood up a cross into the Inter penalty area.
Naturally, the main aerial threat for the Brianzoli was towering striker Milan Djuric. Therefore, the Bosnian was effectively marshalled.
However, Pavard failed to react to a run by Monza substitute Dany Mota.
The Portuguese therefore won the header, which he directed into the Inter goal, giving keeper Yann Sommer no chance.
In general, Pavard put in an aggressive defensive display, with a couple good tackles. But he cost his team with a moment of inattention.
Meanwhile, Pavard put one good cross into the penalty area for Marcus Thuram, But otherwise, he had little impact in attack for Inter.
