Capello: Calhanoglu is ‘Inter’s Rodri’, Lautaro’s methods wrong

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Lorenzo Bettoni | Last updated Jul 2, 2025 5:28 AM ET

Former coach Fabio Capello feels Lautaro Martinez had the wrong approach with Hakan Calhanoglu, as ‘problems should always be resolved face-to-face’ and insists ‘it won’t be easy’ to replace the Turkish midfielder: ‘He’s Inter’s Rodri.’

The public dispute between Inter captain Lautaro Martinez and his teammate Hakan Calhanoglu is undoubtedly one of the most significant talking points in Italy these days.

The Argentinean striker openly said that his teammate should leave if he no longer wants to stay and fight for important targets at San Siro.

Calhanoglu replied via social media on Tuesday, insisting that he had never betrayed the team and that Lautaro should have handled the situation differently.

Certainly, Capello shares the same view.

Capello: Lautaro-Calhanoglu row should have been ‘resolved in the locker room’

“These kinds of situations should be resolved in the locker room,” the ex-Milan, Juventus, and Roma coach told Gazzetta.

“Lautaro spoke as a captain, but when a single player blames a teammate who is not there, I think it’s not okay. Problems should always be resolved face-to-face. That’s the only solution.”

Latest – Chivu holds emergency Inter meeting after Calhanoglu-Lautaro dispute

Multiple sources in Italy report that the row between the Inter stars will inevitably lead to Calhanoglu’s departure, but Capello sent a warning to the Nerazzurri.

Inter will struggle to replace Calhanoglu, says Capello

“He [Calhanoglu] is Inter’s Rodri. A key player for the Nerazzurri’s game,” said the ex-England coach.

“He’s one of those key players around whom the team revolves. Naturally, if it comes to that, it won’t be easy to replace someone like him.”

Capello wasn’t the only Italian legend criticising Lautaro Martinez, as Francesco Totti argued that the Argentine had picked the wrong moment to attack his teammate.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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