Benjamin Pavard jokes that he hoped Genoa would score a late equaliser against his compatriot Olivier Giroud but admits the Milan striker and Theo Hernandez have helped him settle in Italy.
Pavard has released an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport while on international duty with France.
His Inter side won the derby against Milan last month, but are currently two points below their city rivals in the Serie A table.
Inter were held to a 2-2 draw by Bologna at San Siro before the break, while Milan beat Genoa away, seeing Giroud replace Mike Maignan in goal. The Frenchman was sent off in the final minutes of the game when the Rossoneri had already made five substitutions.
“To be fair, I hoped Genoa would score in the final minutes,” Pavard told Gazzetta, smiling.
“He made a good save. Who knows, he could play in goal for the national team too.”
Pavard joined Inter from Bayern Munich last summer, signing a five-year contract with the Nerazzurri. The French defender won four consecutive Bundesliga titles in Germany but expects more competition in Serie A.
“To be fair, we risked not winning the title last season, but it’s true that we are not short of rivals here: Milan, Napoli, Juventus, Lazio, Fiorentina, but the season is long,” he said.
“This is why I didn’t exaggerate with Giroud and Theo after the derby we won. I could do it at the end of the season if we win the league.”
Giroud and Theo are two of Pavard’s closest friends in football and the trio has now reunited with France’s national team.
“I already knew Milano and I liked it. The cuisine is excellent, but I don’t have much time for restaurants. Giroud and Theo gave me some advice,” Paved said. “They are good friends, but not when there is a derby.
“Olivier spoke to me about Italy and Serie A and fans inside the stadiums. This is an important point: I like the fans’ passion and I found what I was looking for at Inter.
“I’ve always said I want to play as a centre-back for a club, but for the national team, I am at the team’s disposal and I can adapt without problems,” added Pavard. “Inter offered me exactly the role I was looking for.”
Click here to read the second part of Pavard’s interview.