Struggles In The Rear View Mirror Netherlands Star Steps Up At The Decisive Moment For Inter Milan | OneFootball

Denzel Dumfries has really stepped up when it’s mattered most for Inter Milan, with his struggles for form a distant memory.

This is highlighted in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.

Denzel Dumfries has not necessarily had the most consistent Inter career.

The Dutchman is now in his fourth season at the Nerazzurri.

And in truth, Dumfries had never really established himself as a consistent starter in any of his first three.

That does not mean that Dumfries was a fringe player for Inter before this season. Far from it.

The former PSV wingback even started for Inter in a Champions League.

But for much of his Nerazzurri career to date, Dumfries has had to compete with Matteo Darmian for a starting berth.

And more often than not, Darmian has been the first-choice option.

Denzel Dumfries Steps Up When It Matters For Inter Milan

But the last few months have seen an entirely new Denzel Dumfries for Inter Milan.

The 28-year-old signed a new contract with the Nerazzurri in the autumn.

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 26: Denzel Dumfries of FC Internazionale in action during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between FC Internazionale Milano and RB Leipzig at Stadio San Siro on November 26, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

That saw a contract saga that had dragged on for many months finally resolve itself.

Dumfries had even looked likely to leave Inter for a while. The Dutchman’s previous contract with the Nerazzurr was set to expire at the end of this June.

But Dumfries decided to commit his future to the Nerazzurri. And with that, a switch just seems to have flipped.

The last few weeks have seen Dumfries in some of his very best physical condition. Dumfries has had the pace, stamina, and robustness to get up and down his flank week after week.

Dumfries has shown greater defensive solidity than ever in Inter’s 3-5-2 shape.

And the 28-year-old has been decisive with goals and assists in the final third.

Dumfries’s six goals in Serie A this season are the third most of any Nerazzurri player.

And on Tuesday, Dumfries wore the captain’s armband for the first time at Inter. He did so against Feyenoord in a Champions League round of sixteen second leg.

This was emblematic, a crowning moment in a golden period of form for the Netherlands international.

Inter have had to grit their way through an injury crisis. Dumfries has been virtually the only fit wingback at times – with Darmian among the players unavailable.

But with Dumfries in this kind of form, Inter have not dropped off.