Having been “misunderstood” at AC Milan but spread his wings at Inter Milan, midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu wants derby revenge.
Today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, highlight the significance of this evening’s match to the 30-year-old Turkish international personally.
A lot has already been said about the prospect of Calhanoglu getting “revenge” against Milan.
The Turk was the subject of some taunts by AC Milan, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, after the Rossoneri won the 2021-22 Serie A title.
The message was clear. Calhanoglu had left Milan to join Inter in 2021. He joined the defending champions, only to see the team he had just left narrowly pip them to the title.
Therefore, the prospect of Inter clinching the title in the derby and celebrating under the noses of their city rivals would undeniably feel like vindication for Calhanoglu making the move.
“Misunderstood” At AC Milan – Hakan Calhanoglu Becomes Key Man For Inter Title
It’s not just about the mockery of his former teammates in 2022 for Calhanoglu, though.
A title win with Inter, whether it’s confirmed in the derby or not, is vindication of the quality of a player who always had his doubters at Milan.
Calhanoglu joined the Rossoneri in 2017.
There were big expectations for the Turkish international. He had impressed with Hamburg and then Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.
But across four years at Milan, Calhanoglu never quite showed his best form.
The Turk played under three different coaches, and played in attacking midfield and wide roles. But his end product was never quite consistent enough.
When Calhanoglu moved to Inter, though, he immediately seemed to click in Simone Inzaghi’s system.
The ex-Milan midfielder spent the first season at Inter as a box-to-box midfielder.
And then in the subsequent two campaigns, Calhanoglu has moved even deeper to holding midfield.
And this is the position that has gotten the best out of Calhanoglu.
The 30-year-old has managed to have an enormous influence on matches. Rather than drifting in and out of them, he is the player who sets the tempo with and without the ball.
Inter would not be anywhere near the team they have been this season without Calhanoglu’s performances.
And it would surely not be unwelcome for the former Milan man to show his old team what they’re missing.
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