When Inter Milan travel to Salzburg in the Champions League group stage on Wednesday, Benjamin Pavard will be missing for the Serie A club – and it will be far from the only game the Frenchman will miss.
A good half hour had been played in Bergamo on Saturday when Benjamin Pavard went down after a header duel and injured his knee. So serious that he was unable to leave the pitch himself, the 27-year-old had to be stretchered off the pitch.
The defender will not be back on the pitch any time soon. A thorough examination has now revealed that the French world champion has suffered a “dislocation of the kneecap in his left knee”, as Inter confirmed on Monday. According to the club, Pavard will have to wear a functional splint for three to four weeks and will only be able to start his rehab after that.
The Italian newspaper “Gazzetta dello Sport” expects the Frenchman to be out of action for seven to eight weeks. This means that Pavard, who left FC Bayern for Milan at the end of August after four years, would not only miss the Nerazzurri’s final three matches in the top flight, but also the top match in Serie A at the beginning of December when league leaders Inter visit champions SSC Napoli.
Pavard has appeared in six league games for Inter so far and has played the full distance in all three Champions League matches.