France Star Sees Inter Milan In Serie A Title Race As “An Advantage” In PSG Vs Inter Milan Champions League Final | OneFootball

Benjamin Pavard believes Inter Milan could turn a heated Serie A title quest into their advantage in the Champions League (UCL) final.

Interviewed by French outlet L’Equipe via FCInterNews, Pavard admitted the intense Scudetto race could help his side in Munich.

Napoli narrowly edged the Nerazzurri in one of the most dramatic Serie A title battles in recent memory.

Despite failing to defend the crown, Inter were part of the Scudetto picture until the final weekend.

Simone Inzaghi lost the race to Antonio Conte, who became the first manager to win the Scudetto with three different clubs.

However, the Inter boss could achieve what his predecessor couldn’t and conquer the final European peak.

In order to do that, he must defeat Paris Saint-Germain in a heavily anticipated Munich showpiece on Saturday.

Benjamin Pavard will likely be one of the protagonists in the final after recovering from a niggling ankle injury.

Inter Milan Star Benjamin Pavard Sees Scudetto Race as Nerazzurri Advantage for UCL Final

MUNICH, GERMANY – APRIL 08: Benjamin Pavard of FC Internazionale reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between FC Bayern München and FC Internazionale Milano at Fussball Arena Muenchen on April 08, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Despite faltering in the Scudetto race, Pavard believes a busy schedule could benefit Inter in the final.

“I think it’s actually an advantage because playing so many matches in a row keeps you sharp and focused on your goal – winning trophies.

“The brain doesn’t need rest, that comes later.

“We’re not a team of stars.

“We do everything together, we know how to suffer together, and no player is better than the other.”

Inter Milan have suffered a lot this season, but Pavard insists they’ll be out to play their game at the Allianz Arena.

“No, we don’t like to suffer,” he stated. “But as long as the results come…

“We always want to dominate possession, but sometimes we face teams that want the same. We have to adapt.

“As soon as we have to drop back and defend deep, we know how to do it.

“We know how to press high, but also how to defend low. We don’t adapt when we start a match.

“But when we realize we can’t move the ball forward high up the pitch, that’s when we adjust.

“The most important thing is not to concede. Sometimes, you have to know how to retreat and suffer in order to win.”

Champions League Winner With Bayern Munich

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 16: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates with his team-mate Benjamin Pavard after scoring their team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Bayern München at San Siro on April 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Pavard returns to his old stomping ground to face a club from his native country in the most prestigious European final.

However, it’s not his first rodeo. Indeed, he was part of the Bayern Munich squad that beat PSG in the 2020 UCL showpiece.

“Perfect if we win, yes,” he admitted. “I played four years in Munich, won a lot of titles there, and now it’s against a French club…

“After the final, I’ll be French again, but not on Saturday. In Italy, I’ve felt the love from the fans, from the club.

“It’s an environment where I truly feel good. My career isn’t over, and I hope my trophies speak for themselves.”

Furthermore, Pavard revealed his ambition to recreate the feeling from five years ago.

“I hope to experience it all over again,” he added. “Paris shouldn’t be underestimated. They’re truly a great team and have proven it for years.

“But I find PSG even more consistent this season.

Simone Inzaghi “One Of The Best Coaches In The World”

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 06: Simone Inzaghi, Head Coach of FC Internazionale, celebrates with his son Lorenzo Inzaghi after his team’s 4-3 victory in the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Barcelona at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 06, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Pavard continued by praising the current Inter squad as well as manager Simone Inzaghi.

“This group is very balanced, with an excellent coach – one of the best in the world in my opinion.

“This team plays really well, it’s a joy to watch – but we won’t be watching them on Saturday.

“There will be moments when we suffer, but I’m not worried. We have experienced players used to these moments.”

Then, he outlined Inter’s bid to make amends for a heartbreaking loss to Manchester City in 2023.

“Many players will be looking for revenge,” he continued. “They learned from that loss, and it made them even better.

“We can achieve something huge, so we can’t dwell on that. I’m already proud of what we’re doing together.

“Moreover, I’m proud of my career and what I’ve built, with its ups and downs. I’m happy to be part of this group.”

Pavard Compares 2020 UCL Final to This Inter Milan Season

MUNICH, GERMANY – APRIL 30: Benjamin Pavard of FC Bayern Munich reacts during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and Hertha BSC at Allianz Arena on April 30, 2023 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Inzaghi couldn’t use Pavard against Barcelona due to an ankle sprain. However, the Frenchman will feature in the final.

“It’s not the same this time, because it was just a sprain,” Pavard claimed.

“In 2020, I played ten minutes against Lyon in the semifinal and I was only at 15%.

“The day before, I was still walking on crutches.

“I remember coach Hansi Flick came to me before the final to tell me he was sorry for not playing me.

“But I told him right away: ‘Coach, it’s a final, we have to win, we have to give 100%, and I’m not at 100%.

“This time, I did everything I could to be ready for the return leg of the semifinal.

“I could’ve played, but again, I was only at 50%. And I think of the team.

“You have to know how to admit you’re not ready. I couldn’t imagine being a burden on my team.

“I never forget my time in Munich. It’s thanks to that club that I’m here and have won so many titles.

“But in that moment, in the heat of the action, after my first goal with Inter in such an important match…

“I wasn’t thinking about who we were facing. I’ll always have respect for Munich. But, in that moment, I thought the stadium would collapse.

“I thought about it after the game and even went into the Bayern dressing room to greet everyone.”

Pavard Role at Inter Milan & ‘Scouting’ UCL Skills

GENOA, ITALY – AUGUST 17: Benjamin Pavard of Inter greets the crowd after the Serie A match between Genoa and Inter at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on August 17, 2024 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

Pavard’s versatility makes him one of the most valuable assets at San Siro.

Indeed, he can cover a multitude of roles at the back.

“It’s a hybrid game,” Pavard admitted. “Sometimes I find myself playing as a right-back or even a wing-back.

“Midfielders can become central defenders. The coach never asks us to stand still. For example, I can carry the ball inward, play a pass, and then follow the move.

“We have a lot of freedom, but the most important thing is maintaining defensive balance. That’s what the coach emphasizes.

“We can take liberties, but someone must cover for that. When I go forward, it’s Nicolo Barella who drops back to cover me.”

Then, he discussed being present at PSG’s semi-final clash against Arsenal.

“I was scouting,” Pavard joked. “I’d been invited and I wanted to see who we might face in the final. And I went to gather info for Inzaghi.

“It was a good match and we can take a few things from it.

“Paris have excellent players in every position – even the goalkeeper, who gets criticized but was decisive.

“Against Arsenal, he made two saves in the first five minutes. At 0-1, the match wouldn’t have been the same.

“You have to be careful with all of them.

“Ousmane is having a great season, but that’s not surprising. He’s just scoring more goals – for him, it’s all about confidence.”