Achraf Hakimi left for PSG in the summer, and Inter Milan was short of options in the right-back position. The Italian club signed Denzel Dumfries from PSV towards the start of this season to strengthen their defense. Simone Inzaghi had two options to choose from – one was Denzel Dumfries, and the other one was Matteo Darmian. But the manager was unsure about who should feature regularly in that position in the UEFA Champions League 2021/22.
Inter Milan plays in a 3-5-2 formation with two wing-backs on either side. Denzel Dumfries featured in five matches for the defending Italian champions. He started three matches and came on as a sub in the other two matches. The player provided an assist against Sheriff at home.
The above viz hints that Dumfries is an attacking full-back. The player has attempted to get inside the opposition’s penalty box and taken 17 touches inside it. The Dutch international defender has attempted 82 passes, and his eight passes have landed inside the opposition’s penalty box. Out of these eight passes, three have landed inside the opposition’s penalty box. These passes also include 12 crosses, and his expected assist rate is 0.46. Most of the passes have been towards centre-back Milan Skriniar, and the highest threats are created from passes towards Lautaro Martinez.
Darmian has featured in three matches for Inter Milan. He has started every match and was subbed off in every match that he played. He has spent 180 minutes on the pitch.
Matteo Darmian is not renowned for going forward and is yet to score a goal or provide an assist. He has taken seven touches inside the opposition’s box and is ranked high amongst other defenders in the Champions League. Darmian has attempted 51 passes, and these include five crosses. The above pass map shows that his five passes landed inside the opposition’s 18-yard box and two passes inside the opposition’s six-yard box. Most of his passes have been towards Nicola Barella, and the highest threats are created from passes towards Lautaro Martinez.
Denzel Dumfries averages more than seven attacking actions per 90 and 4.5 attacking actions per 90. The Dutch player has attempted more dribbles and has taken more touches inside the opposition’s penalty box. Defensively, Matteo Darmian has more attacking actions to his name. He averages 12 defensive actions per 90 in comparison to seven defensive actions per 90 by Dumfries. However, Darmian has contested very few loose ball duels and no aerial duels.
The stats show that Denzel Dumfries has played more than Matteo Darmian in the UEFA Champions League 2021-22 season. The Dutch player has played as an attacking full-back, and Darmian is a more defensive player. Dumfries’ more gametime hints that Inzaghi prefers to play the Dutch player but is still waiting for him to settle in the team.
