Inter Milan have begun the Serie A season with three clean sheets in a row for the first time in 57 years.

Today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, highlight the Nerazzurri’s stellar defensive record so far. And now, Benjamin Pavard can be added to the mix.

Inter are one of two teams with a perfect record of nine points from nine in Serie A after the start of the campaign.

Moreover, the Nerazzurri are the only team left who haven’t conceded a goal.

Inter beat Monza 2-0, Cagliari 2-0, and Fiorentina 4-0.

Against La Viola in particularly, it has been the Nerazzurri’s ruthless attack that has won them plaudits. But as the Gazzetta notes, the team’s excellent defense has been just as important to their trio of victories.

The last time Inter managed to go three matches into the season without conceding a goal, Helenio Herrera was coach.

During the 1966-67 campaign, Inter kept clean sheets against Foggia, Vicenza, and Atalanta in their first three matches.

Inter Milan Boast Stellar Clean Sheet Record – Now Time For Benjamin Pavard

This season, the trio of Alessandro Bastoni, Stefan de Vrij, and Matteo Darmian have started every one of Inter’s Serie A matches to date at the back.

The trio have formed a solid defensive united.

They have also enjoyed the protection of the midfield and a well-organized team as a whole. And behind them, Yann Sommer has swept up with a couple key saves.

But it is not likely that Inter can rely on this same trio match in and match out for an entire gruelling season.

That is exactly why the Nerazzurri brought in Benjamin Pavard during the summer.

The 27-year-old is Inter’s big-money defensive signing from Bayern Munich. And he is certainly someone they’ve brought in to stake his claim on the starting role.

There may be no imminent hurry to throw Pavard in to the deep end as long as Darmian continues to perform well.

But sooner or later, the Frenchman will get his opportunities.

The fact that Pavard has already been available in training suggests that Inter can get the kind of boost they need to keep this strong defensive start from slipping.

So is the fact that Francesco Acerbi will soon be back.

The 35-year-old was arguably Inter’s most consistent defender last season. And he’s ready to return from injury.

With Acerbi back, there will be real competition for Stefan de Vrij, who’s looked back to his Scudetto-winning best.