Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu feels that every trophy is there to be played for in 2023, including the Champions League.
Speaking to Milan-based newspaper Corriere della Sera in an interview published in today’s print edition, via FCInterNews, the 28-year-old also expressed the hope that defender Milan Skriniar would decide to stay at the club.
Inter will have a lot of ground to make up in the Serie A title race, but the eleven-point gap from league leaders Napoli is hardly impossible to make up particularly if they can beat the Partenopei in their first match back in January.
Meanwhile, the Nerazzurri will face AC Milan in the Supercoppa Italiana, and have round of sixteen ties against Parma in the Coppa Italia and Porto in the Champions League on the way.
The fixture list will be more intense than ever, but full of opportunities to fight for silverware.
Calhanoglu said that “I’m feeling good. I’ve also been training during the holidays to stay in shape.”
“I want to be even more important for Inter,” he said.
“The club has always made me feel comfortable and at ease, and I want to repay this trust with another trophy, maybe the Scudetto.”
Looking to the Champions League, the Turk said that “Winning the Champions League is one of my dreams.”
“This year I believe that we can do it.”
“I don’t quite know why, but I have a particular feeling,” the midfielder said.
“We got through a difficult group,” Calhanoglu noted.
“We picked ourselves back up after the defeat against Bayern, showing what we’re capable of.”
“Porto they are a strong team, but if we play like we did against Barcelona we can go through.”
Of a comeback in the Serie A title race, Calhanoglu said that “We believe that we can do it, if we restart the season the same way we played the last few matches before the break we can do it.”
He called the match against Napoli on January 4 “A decisive match that will tell us a lot about the rest of the season.”
Of filling in for Marcelo Brozovic, Calhanoglu said that “Intelligent footballers can adapt, I think I did a good job.”
Asked whether he expects a contract extension from Inter past the end of June 2024, the former AC Milan midfielder said that “I want to discuss it, I’m waiting for the call.”
And regarding Skriniar, Calhanoglu said that “I hope he stays, he’s one of the leaders within the squad along with Samir [Handanovic].”
Of his relationship with coach Simone Inzaghi, Calhanoglu said that “He’s one of the people who wanted me most at Inter, he’s shown that he believes in my qualities from day one.”
Regarding Inter striker Lautaro Martinez’s triumph at the World Cup with Argentina, the midfielder said that “I’m happy for Lautaro, we’re friends, I know how much the World Cup meant to him.”
“We look forward to his return to Appiano as a world champion so that we can celebrate together.”
Asked if he thinks Romelu Lukaku will be back at his best, Calhanoglu replied with a laugh that “I sure hope so!”
“Of course, with him we’e a different, stronger team,” he noted of the Belgian.
“In any case, we have many great players.”
“We have to thank Dzeko, his goals were crucial for keeping us afloat in difficult moments,” Calhanoglu added.
“If we’re fourth in the table, we owe a lot to him,” he said of the Bosnian.
“He sets the example for us, he’ll continue to be important, like Correa and anyone who comes on and plays for the team, we’ll all be united.”