Midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu will start for Inter Milan against Monza this evening despite not being in his best form recently.
This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews.
Calhanoglu is one of Inter’s essential players in terms of the starting eleven.
The 29-year-old former AC Milan midfielder is the player who usually starts at the base of the midfield trio.
Calhanoglu’s influence in the engine room is crucial to how Inter look to play.
The Turkish international has grown into an important defensive presence over the past couple seasons.
And even more significant is Calhanoglu’s influence in possession.
The 29-year-old’s range of passing and aggressive eye for a creative ball forward are at the heart of how Inter look to transition from midfield to attack.
Hakan Calhanoglu To Start For Inter Vs Monza
Other teams have really begun to recognize how central Calhanoglu is to Inter.
That has meant that for a number of teams, trying to stop the Turk from playing at his best is a key part of their strategy in the midfield battle.
Both of Genoa and Hellas Verona attempted this in recent matches.
And in both cases, the opposition’s marking made life difficult for Calhanoglu. Neither match saw a vintage performance from Inter’s first-choice holding midfielder.
But according to the Corriere, there is nevertheless little chance that Calhanoglu will miss out this evening.
The 29-year-old remains a vital presence in the mind of Nerazzurri coach Simone Inzaghi.
The coach will make a few changes to the starting eleven, including tinkering with the midfield.
The Corriere expects that Nicolo Barella will drop out of the lineup. Davide Frattesi will take the 26-year-old’s place.
But as far as the regista role, that will fall to Calhanoglu as usual, regardless of a couple recent mediocre matches.
