Denzel Dumfries, the Dutch wing-back for Inter Milan, recently shared insights about his time with the club, his ambitions for the current season, and his perception of the rivalry with Theo Hernandez during an interview with the Lega Serie A.
Reflecting on his fourth season with Inter, Dumfries expressed immense pride and joy for playing at the club. "Playing for Inter is an honor, and I can only be happy to do it every day," he stated. His passion for the team and the city of Milan is evident, particularly as he noted, "Two of my children were born here." This personal connection adds to his commitment to the team, emphasizing the importance of community and belonging.
Dumfries articulated his growth since joining Inter at the age of 24. Now at 29, he feels more complete and understands the expectations placed on him. He remarked, "I want to continue to improve and grow as a player every day," signifying his dedication to personal and professional development.
The wing-back’s high hopes for the season are unmistakable. He recalled the team's early goals for the championship, stating, "We looked at each other back in August and said, 'We have to win the Scudetto.' Winning it was fantastic, especially celebrating with our fans. That is the most beautiful memory I have since being at Inter." His enthusiasm for winning trophies is not limited to the league; Dumfries firmly believes, "We are also competing for the Coppa Italia and the Champions League. We can win all three competitions, and this is our goal. "
On the subject of his performance, Dumfries conveyed the importance of assists over goals for his position, though he acknowledged his desire to improve his scoring ability. "Scoring is not fundamental for me; attackers need to score. But of course, it’s great to find the back of the net," he mused. His favorite goal, he revealed, was the one scored against AS Roma during his first season—a memorable moment marking his initiation with the Inter jersey.
A significant aspect of Dumfries’ interview was his candid discussion of the rivalry with Theo Hernandez, Inter's neighboring competitor from AC Milan. Dumfries conveyed, "On the field, we do not like each other very much. I cannot say we are friends off the pitch because it would be a lie. We have respect for each other; outside of the pitch, we have no issues, but we cannot say we like each other, to be honest," he joked. This candid acknowledgment demonstrates not only the competitive nature of football but also the professionalism and respect athletes maintain beyond the field.
Looking at the broader competition, Dumfries identified other formidable teams challenging Inter this season, stating, "It’s not just about Napoli, but also Atalanta. Each season is different, and we knew from the start it would be long." His perspective offers insight not only on Inter’s ambitions but also the rapidly changing dynamics of Serie A, where significant competition exists for every title.
This sense of healthy rivalry and ambition leads to ripe competition this season as Inter prepares for key matches alongside their rivals. With Dumfries portraying optimism and confidence, he encapsulates the spirit of not only the club but of their supporters as well: "The most important thing is to raise the bar at the team level," he concluded, bringing together his detailing of personal growth, competitive integrity, and team objectives.
With Dumfries at the helm, Inter Milan looks poised to push forward on multiple fronts, seeking to fulfill the dreams of its fanbase by aiming for success across all competitions this season.