Ex Bayern Munich Star Hails Inter Milan Coach: 'Deserves All The Credit, I Teased AC Milan Compatriots Before The Derby'

Inter Milan defender Benjamin Pavard applauds his coach Simone Inzaghi for his major role in the club’s Serie A triumph this season.

The 27-year-old signed from Bayern Munich last summer and lifted the Scudetto title in his first season in Italian football.

The Frenchman swiftly cemented himself as a pillar at the back for the Nerazzurri. Nevertheless, he insists that Inzaghi deserves a major chunk of the credit for the club’s successful campaign.

“He deserves all the credit from the fans and also from the squad,” said Pavard in his interview with La Repubblica via FcInterNews.

“It was important that we, the players, were the first to shout his name during the celebrations. The second star arrived thanks to everyone’s work, but he is the coach.”

“He doesn’t underestimate anything. And his mentality is shared by everyone at Pinetina. That’s why we get along so well.

“Inzaghi cares so much about every detail. You can tell by how he fidgets on the bench. At first, I looked at him with amazement, I had never seen anything like that. Then I understood.

“Even after sealing the title, he told us that it is important to win the remaining matches.

“We have to defend our title next season, as it has been changing hands in recent years. We are on the right track. And we have fantastic fans, at San Siro and away.”

Inter Milan Defender Benjamin Pavard Heaps Praise On Simone Inzaghi

The France international also discussed the Scudetto celebration parade, and reveals how he teased his AC Milan compatriots ahead of the Derby della Madonnina.

“I experienced a similar celebration in Stuttgart when were promoted to the Bundesliga. At Bayern Munich, less so.

“Then there’s the World Cup with France. It was incredible, but the bus in Paris traveled faster. It didn’t take us eight hours like in Milano.

“Before the match against Milan, I teased my French compatriots, telling them that we will seal the title against them.

“We are friends, but the Derby is the Derby. We went head to head, collided and pushed each other.”

The Rossoneri’s French contingent features Theo Hernandez, Mike Maignan, Olivier Giroud, Yacine Adli and Pierre Kalulu.

Finally, Pavard explained why he opted to leave Bayern and sign for the Nerazzurri.

“I won everything at Bayern and I understood that it was time to change. At 27 I was looking for a new adventure, after seven years in Germany.

“I wanted to get to know Italy and experience the passion of Serie A. Then there is the tactics. In Munich I played full-back, here I’m a central defender which is the role I prefer.

“Inzaghi leaves us a lot of freedom. I had played in three-man defenses before, but it was mostly about covering.

“Here it’s a constant back and forth. We have to go up, create space, talk to the Regista.