Favre tells Inter what to expect from Akanji: ‘A computer with the feet of a midfielder’ | OneFootball

Former Borussia Dortmund head coach Lucien Favre believes that Inter have upgraded on Benjamin Pavard with the signing of Manuel Akanji from Manchester City, and has explained what makes the Switzerland international such a valuable addition for Cristian Chivu.

Inter announced the signing of Akanji on loan with a potential obligation to buy from Manchester City at a cost of up to €17m on the final day of the summer transfer window. He became the club’s fifth signing of the summer after the additions of Petar Sucic, Luis Henrique, Ange-Yoan Bonny and Andy Diouf.

Inter, meanwhile, sent Benjamin Pavard to Olympique de Marseille on loan with an option to buy in a case of one in, one out.

Favre: What Inter should expect from Akanji

DORTMUND, GERMANY – DECEMBER 12: Head coach Lucien Favre of Dortmund is seen during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and VfB Stuttgart at Signal Iduna Park on December 12, 2020 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

“I was happy when I read about his transfer to Inter. He won everything at City and now I hope he repeats it in Milan,” Favre told La Gazzetta dello Sport about Inter’s signing of Akanji.

The former Dortmund head coach, who most recently took charge of OGC Nice in 2022-23, was asked what he remembers about Akanji from their time together at Signal Iduna Park.

He replied: “His being a workaholic. I arrived in Dortmund in the summer of 2018. Akanji had come in from Basel the year before. I already knew him, we are both Swiss.

“The sporting director told me that he had already taken a punt on him given his vision of the game. This sentence struck me at first.

“When we talk about central defenders, usually the first thing we talk about is their anticipation, their defensive attitude. Manuel’s ability to read offensive situations was immediately made clear to me. I knew him, but from the first training session I was amazed by his technical mastery and his reading of the game.”

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 05: Manuel Akanji of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Fulham FC at Etihad Stadium on October 05, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Favre was asked what he made of Pep Guardiola deploying Akanji in such an advanced position that it occasionally looked like he was playing in midfield.

“He pushed forwards a lot with me as well, even if we’re talking about different teams,” Favre replied.

“I made him play as a classic central defender in a back four, and on the side of a back three. I also gave him the captain’s armband on some occasions. He’s always been a leader.

Was there one particular game that stood out in Favre’s memory?

“Against Bayern Munich, 2019. The German Super Cup final, which we won 2-0. He was marking Lewandowski and was impeccable.”

DORTMUND, GERMANY – AUGUST 03: Robert Lewandowski of Muenchen is challenged by Manuel Akanji and Ömer Toprakof Dortmund during the DFL Supercup 2019 match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern München at Signal Iduna Park on August 03, 2019 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Favre was also asked if he thinks that Inter have secured an upgrade on Pavard with their signing of Akanji.

He replied: “We’re talking about two European champions with their club teams. The Frenchman also won a World Cup. But, if I had to choose one, I’d take Akanji: So, yes. Inter have gained. With him on the pitch, Inter now have two tactical weapons.”

Interviewers asked if he was referring to Alessandro Bastoni with that remark.

“Yes, and that’s how Chivu will be able to make the difference. Bastoni and Akanji have the feet of midfielders. Manuel is a computer, then, with the ball at his feet, he always knows what to do and how to serve his strikers. His speciality is to break the opponent’s line with the ball at his feet and create a numerical superiority.”

Finally, will Akanji push Inter towards another Serie A title?

“Absolutetly. With him, Inter have strengthened their defence.”