Ex Bayern Munich Defender Declares ‘Happy To Be Back In The Starting XI’ In Inter Milan Vs Empoli Serie A Clash | OneFootball

Defender Benjamin Pavard says that he is happy to be back in the Inter Milan starting eleven against Empoli this evening.

The France international spoke to Italian broadcaster DAZN ahead of this evening’s Serie A match, via FCInterNews. He admitted that he’s “watched [his] teammates for too long.”

Inter defender Pavard was on the sidelines for several weeks with an injury.

The 29-year-old suffered a thigh strain during Inter’s Champions League clash with RB Leipzig in November.

That problem kept Pavard out for the rest of 2024.

The Frenchman was finally able to make his return against Venezia last weekend. He came off the bench during the second half of the Nerazzurri’s first Serie A match of 2025.

Then, Pavard also came on as a substitute against Bologna on Wednesday.

But these were just substitute appearances. They were important for Pavard to start getting minutes back into his legs, but not really a return to being a pillar of the Nerazzurri defense.

Benjamin Pavard: “Happy To Be Back In Inter Starting XI” Vs Empoli

Pavard has evidently found his rhythm and match-fitness with those substitute appearances, however.

Inter coach Simone Inzaghi has given the Frenchman the nod this evening. He starts against Empoli.

This comes nearly two months after the last time that Pavard started for Inter.

And for his part, the former Bayern Munich defender said that “I’m happy to be back in the starting eleven.”

“I’ve been watching my teammates play from the sidelines for too long,” he admitted. “It didn’t feel great.”

“Now it’s my turn to take to the pitch,” Pavard declared.

Meanwhile, Pavard was also asked about the kind of motivation the team get from a title rival as strong as Napoli.

“I was expecting that question,” he said. “Napoli played a great match [against Atalanta] but we have two games in hand to get back level with them.”

“This evening is a very important match,” Pavard said of facing Empoli. “We have to win so we can close the six-point gap.”