Inter coach Simone Inzaghi has been speaking extremely highly of new signing Hakan Calhanoglu after Inter’s impressive 4-0 win over Genoa in their opening Serie A game, according to a report in the Italian broadcast media.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster DAZN immediately after the match, with quotes reported by FcInternews, Simone Inzaghi explained how the quality that the Turkish midfielder possesses was key to the incredible performance by the Nerazzurri, although he was not the only impressive player.
“I was fairly sure about the squad, I have watched them work since July 8th with enthusiasm, a will to learn new ideas.
“We started in the best way in front of our fans who were able to return to the stadium, we couldn’t have started any better.”
“Hakan Calhanoglu is a great player, he combines quality and quantity, he raced a lot but it would be reductive to talk only about him.
“Those who came on, those who deserved to come on like Ranocchia D’Ambrosio and Kolarov, who have not missed a single training, everyone is working well but I preferred to give a few minutes to Dumfries.
“Calhanoglu is a player that Marotta and Ausilio wanted, every time I played against him he caused me problems. We have the great fortune to sign him, he has inserted himself well.
“In my opinion he still has margins to improve and grow because he is young and still doesn’t know how good he is.”
Another midfield player that Simone Inzaghi named whilst discussing the match was Stefano Sensi. There was a very real chance that he would be sold this summer but the coach explained that he has tried to find a position in the team for him.
“It was nice to see how the team played and we are missing Lautaro aside from the fact that another attacker will arrive.
“I saw Sensi work every day, I tried to find him a place because he is a great player, he has always been ready. He played in a position that he isn’t used to but I have a lot of choices and I will always choose the best one.
“We are only at the beginning, but there is so much work to do and we have to look ahead, we have a difficult game on Friday in Verona.
“We have to continue carefree and calm as we have done.
Inzaghi then touched on the topic that another attacking player arrive, confirming as much.
“Naturally we need to complete the squad, as Romelu Lukaku’s departure was unexpected. Dzeko arrived and he has already shown what kind of player he is.
“The club is evaluating and I am only focused on the pitch, we’ll see starting tomorrow. Hopefully we’ll bring in someone else who can score big goals.
“We have Dzeko, Lautaro, Sanchez, Sensi and Calhanaglo who can play up there. Satriano and Pinamonti are training well but another player has to arrive.
“Sensi is a quality player, Calhanoglu too, Dzeko could give lessons on how to play as a number 9. I have found a group that is greatly used to working.
“This has made my work easier then every coach has their ideas but I am comforted by seeing the players concentrated every day, that is a joy for a coach.”
Another topic that Simone Inzaghi felt he had to discuss was the feeling that he got when the team arrived at the stadium to see fans there for the first time in so long.
“The greatest emotion was arriving on the bus, we played a year and a half with empty stadiums, finding people who boasted, cheered us, was a great emotion.”
