Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu has claimed that Inter have consistently played well against their direct rivals in Serie A, according to a report in the Italian broadcast media.
Speaking to Sky Sport after the 3-2 victory over Napoli, via FCInternews, Hakan Calhanoglu explained that the performances have always been there but have not been turned into victories.
“We say yes, but we have always played well with our direct rivals. Today we won and that’s what counts because we want to go up to the top because we are Inter. We are strong and we have to be there. We want to continue like this.”
Inter have drawn with Juventus, AC Milan, and Atalanta this season whilst playing well. They were also defeated by Lazio 3-1.
The Turkish midfielder is under no illusion that the Scudetto battle is extremely tight this season and the team will have to focus on themselves to try and win the title.
“The championship this year is too tight with many teams. Behind us there are others and above we still have four points to make up.
“Every day we work well with the coach and staff and we only look at ourselves. The others do not interest us.”
Inter dropped off dramatically in the last 10 minutes of the contest and Napoli almost got a draw from the game. Hakan Calhanoglu believes the players are tired from the international matches.
“In my opinion we have returned from the national team and it is not easy to play all the matches with this intensity.
There are others who come off the bench, it is true, but with a team like Napoli it is not easy. We did not give up and we won.”
Hakan Calhanoglu scored a penalty for Inter and says that the players decide between themselves who will take them.
“We are penalty takers. There is also Ivan Perisic. We decide on the pitch, who feels good scores. I scored goals against Milan and Napoli but it doesn’t matter who kicks, what counts is that we win.”
