Newcastle United transfer target Denzel Dumfries has helped Inter Milan reach their first Champions League final since 2010 after they saw off rivals, AC Milan at the San Siro.
Thierry Henry and Micah Richards were left impressed by the performances of Denzel Dumfries over the two legs and stated he was ‘outstanding’, as they told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (16/05/23 at 10:15 pm).
Inter Milan, not only progressed to the final, but they ensured their bitter rivals didn’t even get on the scoresheet, as Simone Inzaghi’s men recorded a 3-0 aggregate win.
In a 3-5-2 system, the wing-backs are incredibly important to how Inter sing and dance, both in offence and going back.
In the first leg, within the first 20 minutes, they blew away their near neighbours by racing into a 2-0 lead, before producing a defensive masterclass in the return leg.
The all-action Rafael Leao was absent for the first leg, but he returned last night, only to find Dumfries standing in his way and ensuring he had near to zero impact in the game.
“The 5-3-2, they are in a 5-3-2 when they wait and defend low,” said Henry. “Because they won 2-0 in the first leg, they (the wing-backs) didn’t have to go and chase and put pressure so much.
“Dimarco, at times went. A bit less Dumfries. Only when there was a clear counter. If not, he was very dependent of Leao – Dumfries is always staying with Leao. Normally he goes and bites. He didn’t go and bite.”
Richards added: “I just want to talk about Dumfries, honestly. Over these two legs. He is the one. He has done things that I have seen very little, in terms of attack and defence that a load of the defenders in world football could do. His timing to get into the box. His decision-making when to defend. His time to release the ball and when to cross. He has got such an engine.
“Watching him over these two legs. I watched him for the Netherlands and I thought ‘Okay, he has got something’ – but over these two legs, he was outstanding – Dumfries is just more entertaining to watch (than Demarco). Both wing-backs were outstanding.
“I think he’s actually their most important player, in terms of the way they want to defend and attack. He was up against Leao. They thought he was going to make an impact. But really, he kept him quiet.”
NEWCASTLE LINKED WITH INTER STAR DUMFRIES
Two more wins are needed for Eddie Howe’s side and they will then join teams like Inter in the Champions League next season.
But, as they take that enormous step up, it requires players of serious quality to come through Newcastle’s doors in the summer and a player like Dumfries has been linked to the Magpies.
Kieran Trippier is the main man at right-back for Howe, but he can’t go solo in that role next season, especially given that he turns 33 in September and Newcastle will be playing two games every week.
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