Benjamin Pavard, the Inter Milan defender, had a tough game against Atalanta even before an injury took him out too soon.
The Turin-based publication Tuttosport, via FCInterNews, presents this viewpoint in its print edition today. The Frenchman receives a meager 5.5/10 in their player ratings for the game.
Yesterday was one of Pavard’s hardest tests while wearing an Inter shirt.
The former Bayern Munich back was going up against a fairly mobile and fluid Atalanta attack, so he needed to be really alert.
Ademola Lookman, a former forward for RB Leipzig and Leicester City, was Pavard’s direct opponent for most of his time on the field.
Furthermore, the 27-year-old found it difficult to mark Lookman.
Since arriving at Atalanta last summer, the Nigerian has been one of their main threats in the closing third.
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From Tuttosport’s perspective, during the roughly thirty minutes that Pavard was on the field, he lost the majority of his duel with Lookman.
It wasn’t a terrible performance by the Frenchman. Nothing really went wrong.
But the Atalanta forward was too much for Pavard.
Although the Frenchman could match Lookman’s speed, he was unable to match the latter’s agility and deft movements.
Consequently, during the first half of the game, Pavard did little to prevent Lookman from participating in the Atalanta onslaught.
On the other hand, Pavard did not make any noteworthy contributions.
It was regrettable for the 27-year-old to have to withdraw due to an injury.
Pavard might be gone for several months due to that injury.
In Pavard’s stead was veteran Matteo Darmian, formerly of Torino and Manchester United.
In actuality, Darmian contributed more to the attack and appeared more at ease with Lookman.
The penalty that Pavard’s replacement won was the one that gave Inter their first goal.
