Hakan Calhanoglu feels that Inter Milan made a big statement against Napoli, as other teams were hoping for them to lose.
The 29-year-old spoke to Italian broadcaster RAI Sport, via FCInterNews, whilst at the Gran Gala del Calcio.
Inter handed a chastening defeat to reigning Italian champions Napoli yesterday.
But there was a sense that it was not just the Partenopei who felt the effects of the result.
Inter also responded to Juventus’s earlier win against Monza on Friday.
The Bianconeri had gone temporarily top of the table with their dramatic late win earlier in the round of fixtures. And with Inter playing a team of Napoli’s quality, they may have hoped it would stay that way.
Meanwhile, the likes of AC Milan and Roma also won earlier in the weekend.
They could very well have hoped to get a little close to the top if Inter had lost.
But in the end, Inter made sure that none of that came to pass.
The Nerazzurri won in Naples to restore their advantage. And they kept the other teams in the top places in the table – not just Napoli – firmly at bay with the victory.
Hakan Calhanoglu: Inter Sent A Message To Rivals With Serie A Win Vs Napoli
Inter midfielder Calhanoglu gave his thoughts on yesterday’s match.
“Winning sent an important message,” the Turkish international said. “Because other teams were praying that we’d lose or draw. And we knew it.”
He continued, “We went out onto the pitch to send a message.
“We deserved the three points because we were focused and switched-on,” the former AC Milan argued of the Nerazzurri’s victory.”
“We didn’t allow Napoli to play their game,” he said.
“They’re a strong team with quality.”
Calhanoglu gave the view that “We did our job.”
“I’m happy for my goal, but above all for the win.”
