Benjamin Pavabad believes Inter Milan can turn the warm Serie A Title Quest into their advantage in the Champions League (UCL) final.
Interviewed by French outlet L’Equipe via Fcinternews, Pavard admitted that the intense Scudetto race could help his side in Munich.
Napoli narrowly bordered Nerazzuri in one of the most dramatic Serie A title fights in recent memory.
Despite failing to defend the crown, Inter was part of Scudetto’s photos until the final weekend.
Simone Inzaghi lost the race to Antonio Conte. Antonio Conte became the first manager to beat Scudetto at three different clubs.
However, Intervos was able to achieve what his predecessors could not do and conquer the last European peak.
To do this, he will have to defeat Paris Saint-Germain at the highly anticipated Munich exhibit on Saturday.
Benjamin Pavard will become one of the main characters in the final after recovering from an ankle injury.
Inter Milan star Benjamin Pavad sees Scudetto race as an advantage for the Nellazouri in the UCL Finals
Despite being upset with Scudetto Race, Pavard believes his busy schedule could benefit Inter in the finals.
“I think that’s actually an advantage because playing so many games in a row, you’ll focus sharply on your goals and win trophies.
“The brain doesn’t need rest, and that’s coming later.
“We’re not a star team.
“We know how to do everything together and suffer together. No player is better than the other players.”
Inter Milan has been struggling with a lot this season, but Pavad claims they will end up playing their game at the Allianz Arena.
“No, we don’t want to suffer,” he said. “But as long as the outcome comes…
“We always want to control our possessions, but sometimes we face teams who want the same thing, we have to adapt.
“As soon as you need to stop by and protect deeply, you know how to do it.
“We know how to push high, but we also know how to lower it, and we don’t adapt when we start a match.
“But when we realize we can’t move the ball forward on the pitch, that’s when we adjust.
“The most important thing is not to admit it. Sometimes you need to know how to retreat and suffer in order to win.”
Champions League winner against Bayern Munich
Pavard returns to his old stomping ground and faces the club from his home country in the most prestigious European final.
But that wasn’t his first rodeo. Certainly, he was part of Bayern Munich’s team that defeated PSG in the 2020 UCL exhibit.
“If we win, it’s perfect,” he admitted. “I played for four years in Munich and won many titles there, but now I’m against the French club…
“After the final, I’ll be in French again, but not on Saturday. In Italy, I felt the love from the fans from the club.
“It’s an environment where I feel really good. My career isn’t over. I hope my trophy speaks for myself.”
Furthermore, Pavad revealed his ambition to recreate emotions for five years.
“I want to experience it again,” he added. “Paris should not be underestimated. They’re a really great team and have proven that for years.
“But I feel PSG is even more consistent this season.
Simone Inzagi, “One of the best coaches in the world”
Pavard went on to praise his current InterTeam and manager Simone Inzaghi.
“This group is very well balanced and has great coaches, and in my opinion, he is one of the best coaches in the world.
“This team plays really well, it’s a joy to watch, but I don’t see it on Saturday.
“There are moments when we suffer, but I’m not worried. We’ve experienced players who are used to these moments.”
He then outlined Intel’s bid to compensate Manchester City for his heartbreaking loss in 2023.
“A lot of players are looking for revenge,” he continued. “They learned from that loss and it made them even better.
“We can achieve something enormous, so we can’t stick to it, and we’re already proud of what we’re doing together.
“And I am proud of my career and what I have built.
Pavard compares the 2020 UCL Finals with this Milan season
Inzagi was unable to use Pavad against Barcelona due to ankle sprain. However, the French will be featured in the finals.
“It’s not the same this time, because it was just a sprain,” Pavad insisted.
“In 2020, I played 10 minutes with Lyon in the semi-finals, but only 15%.
“The day before I was still walking on crutches.
“I remember coach Hansi Flick coming to me before the final and saying it was a shame he wasn’t playing me.
“But I said to him right away: “Coach, it’s the final, you have to win, you have to give 100%, I’m not 100%.
“This time I did everything I could to prepare for my return leg for the semi-finals.
“I could have played, but again, I was only 50%, and I’m thinking about the team.
“You need to know how to admit that you’re not ready, and I couldn’t imagine it being a burden on my team.
“I will never forget my time in Munich, and it’s because of that club that I’ve been here and won so many titles.
“But in that moment, in the heat of action, after the first goal with Inter in such a critical match…
“I didn’t think about who we were facing. I’ve always paid tribute to Munich, but at that moment I thought the stadium would collapse.
“After the match, I thought about it and went into Bayern’s dressing room and greeted everyone.”
The role of Pavad in Inter Milan & ‘Scouting’ UCL skills
Pavard’s versatility makes him one of the most valuable assets in San Siro.
Certainly, he can cover many roles behind.
“It’s a hybrid game,” admitted Pavad. “Sometimes I play as a right back or a wing back.
“Midfielders can be central defenders. Coaches never ask us to stand still. For example, I can carry the ball inwards, play the pass, then follow the move.
“We have a lot of freedom, but the most important thing is to maintain a defensive balance, which is what our coaches emphasize.
“We can take freedom, but someone needs to cover it. When I move forward, it’s Nicolo Barrera who’s coming back to cover me.”
He then discussed his attendance in the semi-final clash against PSG’s Arsenal.
“I was scouting,” Pavard joked. “I was invited to see who would face in the final, and I went to gather information for Inzagi.
“It’s a good game and we can take a few things from it.
“Paris has great players in every position. Even the goalkeepers have been criticised but decisive.
“He made two saves in the first five minutes against Arsenal, and at 0-1, the game wouldn’t have been the same.
“You need to be careful about all of them.
“Osmane has a great season, but that’s not surprising. He’s just getting more goals. For him, it’s all about confidence.”
