Goalkeeper Yann Sommer is enjoying a very strong statistical start to the season in more respects than just the clean sheets he’s keeping for Inter Milan.
Today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews, note how effective the 34-year-old has been at keeping the ball out of his own net compared to AC Milan and Napoli keepers.
Inter went with Sommer to be their new goalkeeper during the summer.
The Nerazzurri had a big job in signing a new shot-stopper.
Both Andre Onana and Samir Handanovic left during the summer transfer window.
The departure of Handanovic had always seemed inevitable, more a “when” than an “if.” He bowed out with a start in the Coppa Italia final against Fiorentina that Inter won.
Meanwhile Onana was the man Inter signed to replace the Slovenian.
Obviously taking the place of a player like Handanovic who had been a vital presence at Inter for more than a decade would be a tough task. But Onana looked up to it.
But Manchester United signed the Cameroonian for a huge fee, just twelve months after he arrived.
So Inter went back to the drawing board.
And the Nerazzurri decided to go with experience.
Inter brought in veteran Swiss international Yann Sommer on a free transfer. The 34-year-old signed after six months at Bayern Munich.
Key Statistic Highlights Yann Sommer Start To Life At Inter
There have been a couple less-than-stellar moments from Sommer so far this season.
The Swiss let in a Nedim Bajrami effort that allowed Sassuolo to equalize in their comeback win at the San Siro.
And Sommer probably should have done better for another equalizing goal from an Emilian team at the San Siro – that of Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee.
But on the other hand, Sommer has produced some stellar saves.
The 34-year-old’s stop on a Bryan Cristante was crucial in making sure Inter won a match that they dominated against Roma.
And the overall trend has been good. Sommer’s saves have made a big impact for Inter.
As Tuttosport highlight, the Swiss has made a total of 26 saves for Inter. That is three more than AC Milan’s keepers, and one more than Napoli’s.
But Inter have conceded just six goals. That’s compared to fourteen for Milan and thirteen for Napoli.
This demonstrates how important Sommer’s saves have been to Inter’s defensive start to the season.
The former Bayern Munich has been a very consistent presence along the way to eight Serie A clean sheets so far.
