Lothar Matthäus Raises Questions Over Benjamin Pavard’s Move to Inter Milan from Bayern Munich

The right back situation at Bayern Munich has stirred some intrigue as the summer transfer window approaches its end. Although Bayern acquired two defenders during the transfer window, Raphaël Guerreiro is more accustomed to the left-back role, while Kim Min-jae primarily plays as a center back. The impending departure of Benjamin Pavard to Inter Milan and the loaning out of Josip Stanišić to Bayer Leverkusen, a Bundesliga competitor, has left Bayern Munich with Noussair Mazraoui as the sole senior right back. Consequently, the club finds itself in a scramble to identify a suitable replacement for Pavard.

Former Bayern and Germany midfielder, Lothar Matthäus, has expressed his bewilderment at the unfolding situation. While he acknowledges that Pavard might have aspirations to leave the club, he is puzzled by the decision to move from Bayern to Inter, as he does not view it as an upgrade for Pavard. Despite Inter’s impressive performance last season, including a berth in the Champions League final and a cup victory, Matthäus maintains that Bayern holds a more prominent stature in European football. He questions the logic of Bayern letting Stanišić depart despite being aware of Pavard’s desire to join Inter.

Matthäus recently penned his thoughts in a column for Sky Sport (via @iMiaSanMia), where he stated, “Though I hold great affection for my former club, I must emphasize that transitioning from Bayern to Inter may not presently be a step up. While Inter showcased an impressive season, reaching the Champions League final and securing cup triumph, Bayern remains the dominant force in Europe. Nonetheless, Pavard seems determined to pursue a future in the center-back position, where he has showcased considerable proficiency.”

Recalling that Inter trailed Bayern in the previous season’s Champions League group stage, subsequently securing an easier path to the final where they were defeated by Manchester City, Matthäus underscores the competitive prowess of both teams. He further acknowledges Pavard’s inclination towards playing in the center-back role, a preference that stems from his time at VfB Stuttgart prior to his Bayern signing. However, his ambitions to establish himself as a center-back with Bayern were hindered by the presence of established talents in that position.

Matthäus conveys his understanding of Pavard’s perspective, noting, “I empathize to an extent. Pavard’s opportunities as a center-back were somewhat limited, and Bayern won’t sanction his departure without securing a replacement. He consistently proved himself as a dependable Bayern player with an impeccable character. The decision to allow Stanišić to leave, coupled with the subsequent pursuit of a Pavard replacement, remains a perplexing choice.”

In summary, Lothar Matthäus raises pertinent questions regarding Benjamin Pavard’s impending move to Inter Milan from Bayern Munich. While recognizing Pavard’s desire for a change, Matthäus puzzles over the decision’s alignment with Pavard’s career aspirations and the broader implications for Bayern Munich’s defensive lineup.