Legendary former Inter defender Beppe Bergomi has highlighted the importance of summer signing Denzel Dumfries to the Nerazzurri’s capacity to break down opposition defensive structures.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, Bergomi praised the Dutchman’s qualities after a strong performance on his first start of the season against Bologna over the weekend.
Dumfries did not immediately establish himself in the starting eleven at Inter following his arrival from PSV over the summer, with the 25-year-old taking a bit of time to adjust and get up to his best physical level.
However, the former PSV man announced himself in Serie A on Saturday, beginning his performance against Sinisa Mihajlovic’s Rossoblu side with his first assist in a Nerazzurri shirt and not looking back from there as he helped his team to an emphatic 6-1 victory.
Bergomi believes that the pace and intensity showed by the Dutchman can give the Nerazzurri an extra dimension at launching incisive counter-attacks which are hard to defend against.
“Inter have always tried to play with the ball,” he said, “but they are a team that hurts when they counter. And this is because they signed Dumfries. He is a bit like Hakimi, but his acceleration can break apart opposition defenses.”
Bergomi continued, “He has a dribble to turn on his heel that he does very well. He can break the game, and this is important – I’m also sure he can be better than Hakimi in the defensive phase, because with PSV he played in a back four.”
“Inter needed players with pace after the farewell of Lukaku and Hakimi,” he explained. “In this Inter there is an irreplaceable player in the form of Brozovic. But let’s not underestimate the strength of Lukaku, who gave penetration in behind. Now Inter must find different ways to attack.”
