Yann Sommer feels that an “aging” defense is not a problem for Inter Milan, and Lautaro Martinez is worthy of the Ballon D’Or.
The Swiss gave his thoughts on the Nerazzurri’s defensive issues in an interview published in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.
At the start of this season, Inter have had some glaring defensive issues.
The Nerazzurri have been conceding goals at a rate of more than one per match in Serie A. They’ve allowed nine goals in seven league outings.
That is a sharp contrast from last season, when Inter kept a clean sheet more often than not in the league.
In the Champions League, things have looked better defensively for Inter.
Sommer has yet to have to pick the ball out of his own net against either Manchester City or Red Star Belgrade.
But in the league, Inter are paying for a number of errors and lapses.
Sommer: “Aging Defense Not A Problem For Inter, Lautaro Worthy Of Ballon D’Or”
Inter keeper Sommer argued that “The reason [or Inter’s defensive issues] is simple.”
“It can be explained by a word I’ve learned well in Italy: ‘Preventative.'”
“We don’t always get the marking right in a lot of situations,” Sommer admitted.
“Last season we were always great in preventing defensive issues while we had the ball. We were always compact and tidy.”
“It was difficult to get in behind us,” the Inter keeper noted.
“That’s what we need to do to get back to our level,” he said.
Sommer remarked that “We’ll always manage to find the goal.”
“But the whole team has to do better defensively. Be more compact and get our positioning right.”
As far as whether the defense could be getting too old, Sommer insisted that “Age is not the problem.”
“It’s enough to look at how Mkhi and Calha play, and then all the defenders – Acerbi, Darmian, myself.”
“We’re all still in top form, very professional,” Sommer said.
“It’s normal to be a bit below par at times – but it’s not because of our age.”
And of Inter captain Lautaro Martinez’s candidate for the Ballon D’Or this year, Sommer said that “I completely agree with Messi.”
The Argentina captain tipped Martinez to win the award this year.
“I first met Lautaro a year ago,” Sommer said. “And I immediately noticed his big personality.”
“He has the right spirit as captain, and is an exceptional goalscorer.”
“We always need him, and the Ballon D’Or would be very well-deserved,” he said of Martinez.
