Versatile veteran Matteo Darmian is having to cover in two positions for Inter Milan as the team’s injury crisis mounts.

Today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews, describe the 34-year-old as “extraordinary” for how he has managed to plug several holes in the Nerazzurri’s squad.

When Darmian signed for Inter during the summer of 2020, he was seemingly mainly coming in as cover on the right flank.

Darmian had played mostly as a right-back or right-wingback throughout his career.

That had been the position that the Italian international had already played under then-Inter coach for the Italian national team.

So Inter’s move for the relatively unglamorous defender looked like a way to add reliable depth on the flank.

But what the Nerazzurri have gotten out of Darmian has proven to be far more than that.

“Extraordinary” Matteo Darmian Covers Two Positions At Inter

In Darmian’s first season at Inter, the ex-Manchester United, Torino, and Palermo defender played regularly on both the right and the left side of the pitch.

This was the first indication that Darmian’s versatility would become a key asset to the team.

But last season, the Italian showed another development.

Darmian began playing on the right side of the back three.

Initially, this looked to be more of a preseason experiment from Simone Inzaghi.

But the idea stuck. And as Inter and Inzaghi scrambled to cover for the injured Milan Skriniar, Darmian became a crucial cog in defense.

That became, seemingly, the 34-year-old’s “main” position coming into this season.

Darmian was set to be the main deputy for Benjamin Pavard, and even provide competition for the former Bayern Munich defender to start matches.

Which Darmian has certainly done.

But beyond that, Tuttosport note, Darmian also remains vital cover for Denzel Dumfries at right-wingback.

He has been the Dutchman’s main backup rather than Juan Cuadrado, due to his greater physical robustness.

With both of Pavard and Dumfries currently out with injuries, Darmian is really being put to the test.

But wherever he plays, it seems certain that the 34-year-old will do a more than commendable job.