Midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu has been named as Inter Milan’s outstanding player in yesterday’s Champions League win over Red Bull Salzburg.
Today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, give the Turkish international and former AC Milan midfielder a score of 7.5/10 – the highest of any player in the ratings for the match.
Calhanoglu dictating play from the base of midfield has certainly become a familiar sight in Inter matches.
And against Salzburg, the 29-year-old gave yet another clinic in playing the holding role.
Calhanoglu’s positioning and energy were key. The Turk did not simply wait for the play to come to him, but was proactive in getting onto the ball.
After a tough opening ten or so minutes for Inter as a whole – which saw the Nerazzurri struggle to keep hold of possession amid relentless pressing from the away side – Calhanoglu found his rhythm.
Hakan Calhanoglu “Dominant” For Inter Vs Red Bull Salzburg
In the view of the Gazzetta, Calhanoglu was a “dominant” force in the centre of the pitch yesterday.
The former Rossoneri midfielder showed just how much he has adapted to a more defensive role.
There was no lack of physical combativeness and some key tackles from Calhanoglu. This was vital in the midfield battle against a Salzburg team who showed great hunger to try and unsettle Inter and throw men forward.
And in possession, Calhanoglu’s passing range and vision were at the heart of everything positive that Inter did.
The Nerazzurri’s strategy seemed to centre around trying to exploit the spaces that Salzburg left at the back.
And Calhanoglu was the player who regularly picked out teammates as they found pockets of space.
Then, the Turkish international showed his composure to score Inter’s winning goal from the spot. He maintained his perfect record taking penalties for the Nerazzurri with a near-perfect effort.
