Carlos Augusto looks to be taking the same path as Matteo Darmian did to become a real utility man for Inter Milan.
This is highlighted in today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews.
Augusto arrived at Inter last summer as a replacement for Robin Gosens.
The Brazilian came in from Monza, where he had shone as an attacking wingback last season. In fact, Augusto had been the Brianzoli’s top scorer last campaign.
So that was certainly one facet of Augusto’s game that Inter fans looked forward to.
The 25-year-old has shown that side of his game on plenty of occasions. But it’s been far from all that he’s contributed.
From an attacking perspective, Federico Dimarco was always going to be tough for Augusto to dislodge from the starting eleven.
The Italian makes an enormous contribution to Inter’s attack with his passing, crossing, and goalscoring.
But Augusto has found a role that has made him more than just a Dimarco backup.
The former Monza man is that – he can fill in for Dimarco when the latter is injured or suspended, come off the bench to add legs on the left flank, or allow the Italian to rest in some matches.
But Augusto has also found a role in the back three. He is expected to start there against Genoa tomorrow after having impressed against the likes of Napoli and Lecce in the role.
Augusto has become a real “utility man” for how he can cover two positions very well, either from the start, from the bench, or with an in-match tactical shift.
Carlos Augusto Following Same Path As Matteo Darmian At Inter
Former Manchester United and Torino veteran Darmian has been on a similar path.
The Italian international joined Inter in the summer of 2021. And he did so purely as a wingback, to bolster the wide options.
That is the role that Darmian played for two seasons.
And the veteran defender did so very well.
But last season, something different was needed from Darmian. A long-term injury to Milan Skriniar meant that Inter looked light in defense.
Darmian had been filling in on the right of the back three on a few occasions, starting with the preseason.
But the 34-year-old was thrown into the deep end. He became the starter in the position for the second half of the campaign.
It was a role that Darmian thrived in. He started every match of Inter’s knockout stage run to the Champions League final.
This season, Darmian has played both roles. The veteran started out the campaign as Inter’s starting centre-back. Then the arrival of Benjamin Pavard and emergence of Yann Bisseck has meant that he’s played virtually all his football at wingback.
Darmian’s versatility and reliability has given Inter a lot of room to navigate tough transitional periods.
And that appears to be exactly what Augusto is giving Inter on the left.
