Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu believes he is at his best since joining the Nerazzurri: ‘I’ve improved in every aspect.’ The Türkiye international famously made the switch between city rivals Milan and Inter in 2021, and has gone on to become a vital part of the Nerazzurri setup.
Speaking in a lenghty interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Calhanoglu talked about his switch between the Milan clubs, the upcoming Champions League match against Porto how the recent earthquake devastation in Türkiye has shook him emotionally:
The table on 3 March 2023 really says you’re -18 (behind Napoli)… how is it possible?
“In fact, nobody expected Inter to be so far behind. Napoli deserves to be there, we saw that in the Champions League as well, but it’s our fault, like last year. We could have been closer if we hadn’t lost points against Monza, Empoli, Samp and Bologna: those hurt! I don’t think anyone will peg Napoli back, but we have to play with the right attitude, the one we saw with Porto, in every game. Then we want to win the Coppa Italia and in the Champions League we can surprise people…”.
Are there really two ‘Inters’, one focused with the big games and one distracted with the small ones?
“It’s difficult to explain, even I often wonder why. If we beat the big teams, it is because we are really strong, but sometimes with the small teams we lack the right determination. That’s where championships are lost. That’s where we all need to improve, in motivation and attitude in certain matches.”
What kind of match do you expect in Porto?
“A battle, in a stadium I know well. With Turkey, we lost the World Cup playoff to Portugal there: at 2-1 we missed the penalty to equalise… But I really believe in this team and in this Champions League: I dream of winning it, maybe this year. I know it’s difficult, but if we qualify then anything can happen… To make it in Porto we have to repeat the performance we made at Camp Nou”.
Is this the best ‘Calhanoglu’ ever?
“Yes, without a doubt. I’ve improved in every aspect, I’m a more mature person even off the pitch. This is my best season because mentally I always feel on the ball.”
In what way has Inter completed you on the path?
“From the first day I arrived, I realised there was a special air here. Different. Thanks to my teammates, the staff and everyone who works here, I felt welcome right away. Then the positivity of the fans gave me energy, a charge and self-confidence: I feel free, I know they support me even when I make mistakes. Then I had another mental ‘shake’ after this terrible earthquake that hit my Turkey: it’s a huge pain that shook me emotionally. Now I get more emotional on the pitch, I feel I have to give my all, also to give a smile to those who suffer. That’s why I’m more and more in the game.”
What role do you want to play in now?
“Wherever they put me, I’ll give it my all. I already played as a regista in the national team and my agent always told me: ‘That’s your role…’. His words have stayed in my head: that’s why I see myself more in front of the defence, it’s no coincidence that my idol was Pirlo… Thanks to Inzaghi I have completed myself in this position, especially from a defensive point of view. Now I also enjoy the physical duel: I’ll be further away from the goal and I’ll shoot less, but I can control the game, the rhythm, and help my teammates from behind. Then a goal can always come, like in San Siro against Barcelona…”.
