Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu and AC Milan defenders can be symbols of the inflamed passions of the derby for their respective teams ahead of tomorrow evening’s Serie A clash.
This is the view in today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews, who note that the pair appear to be the two players to get the most fired-up for the occasion when the two city rivals meet.
For Inter, former Rossoneri midfielder Calhanoglu has quickly become a symbol of the derby.
The 28-year-old has been a Nerazzurri player for just a season and a half after making the switch on a free transfer in the summer of 2021, but he has wasted no time in laying down a marker.
Calhanoglu scored against his old team at the first time of asking, from the penalty spot in the first league derby of last season.
The Rossoneri supporters have hardly failed to let the Turkish international know of their feelings, whilst he was also the subject of taunts by former teammates as they celebrated the Serie A title win last season.
After a 3-0 win over Milan in the Supercoppa Italiana last month, Calhanoglu spoke of getting a measure of “revenge” and “karma” after the taunts that had been aimed at him by old teammates.
There is little doubt that the 28-year-old will be one of the players especially fired up as he steps out onto the pitch tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Milan defender Hernandez has also quickly become a player who always seems to be at the centre of derby day flashpoints.
The Frenchman was involved in an on-pitch confrontation with Inter striker Lautaro Martinez last February, and can be expected to have his usual fiery temperament in tomorrow’s match as well.
