Inter Milan & Italy Defender Says ‘Competition Is Healthy, Leads Us To Give More’

Inter Milan defender Matteo Darmian feels that competition for places is a good thing if it pushes the players to give more.

The 34-year-old spoke to InterTV after the Nerazzurri’s 2-1 Serie A win over Atalanta, via FCInterNews.

Inter got the result they were looking for at the Gewiss Arena yesterday evening.

It was certainly not an easy match for the Nerazzurri.

For the second league match in a row, Inter travelled to a difficult stadium to face a team who pressed them aggressively and in an organized, man-to-man way.

Moreover, Inter lost a key man to injury during the first half, in the form of Benjamin Pavard.

But Pavard’s replacement Darmian managed to win the penalty from which the Nerazzurri took the lead, not long after coming on.

And then Inter captain Lautaro Martinez scored the second with a brilliantly taken strike.

Inter conceded around the hour mark. Atalanta striker Gianluca Scamacca found the back of the net.

But in the end, Inter protected their advantage, and take three points back to Milan.

Inter Defender Matteo Darmian Feels Competition “Healthy”

Having been a regular starter for the majority of last season, that has not always been the case for Pavard this time around.

That has been because of the arrival of Pavard.

But the former Manchester United and Torino defender showed against Atalanta yesterday that even if he does not start matches, he can more than give his contribution.

“I always enjoy playing in this role,” the defender said.

“I always try to lend a hand and contribute to the team and my teammates,” he continued.

Darmian added that “I try to improve myself day by day.”

“I’m happy to play” he added. “It’s normal for there to be a lot of competition.”

“But I think it’s healthy competition which pushes us to give more and more.”