The defender has joined Inter on-loan from Manchester City for the season with an option to buy.
Favre recalled to La Gazzetta dello Sport: "I arrived in Dortmund in the summer of 2018. Akanj had arrived the year before from Basel, so I already knew him. We're both Swiss.
"The sporting director told me he'd chosen him for his vision. At first, that statement struck me. When you talk about a central defender, the first things people usually talk about are his marking, his anticipation, and his defensive skills."
As Akanji was arriving, Inter were sending Benjamin Pavard to Olympique Marseille.
Favre also said: "If I have to sign one, I'll take Manuel. With him on the pitch, Inter have two tactical weapons. And that's how (coach Cristian) Chivu can make the difference: (Alessandro) Bastoni and Akanji have the feet of midfielders. Manuel is a computer, after all: with the ball at his feet, he always knows what to do and how to feed the strikers.
"His specialty is breaking down the opposition's line and creating superiority."