Legendary Italian midfielder Marco Tardelli compares the rapport between Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi and Hakan Calhanoglu to Carlo Ancelotti and Andrea Pirlo.
The Turkish midfielder has gradually transformed himself into a deep-lying playmaker under the guidance of the Nerazzurri boss.
His masterclass displays have sparked comparisons with the legendary Pirlo, one of the best Registas in Italian football history.
Calhanoglu played an instrumental part in his team’s victory over Juventus in last Sunday’s Scudetto showdown.
Therefore, Tardelli applauds the 30-year-old for his brilliant showing, while praising his great rapport with Inzaghi.
“I saw a beautiful, concrete and often spectacular Inter that Simone Inzaghi shaped in his own image,” said the 1982 World Cup hero in his column for La Stampa via FcInter1908.
“He managed to build a team starting from the most important department, the defense. Inter are solid and safe at the back.
“But one idea of his struck me in particular and it is the same as the one Ancelotti had when he moved Pirlo in front of the defense.
“The aim wasn’t to protect the backline with strength but to enhance the team with technique and imagination. Well, Inzaghi has done the same with Calhanoglu.
“Against Juventus, I saw in Hakan the football that I love, with plays that have been increasingly rare in recent times.
Marco Tardelli Has Lavish Praise For Hakan Calhanoglu & Inter Milan Coach Simone Inzaghi
“The commentators went crazy. But for a player of his level, it is normal. This was the case for Totti, Causio, Baggio, Rivera, D’Amico, and Beccalossi among others.
“Those were top players who showed their enormous quality in every match and no one was surprised.”
While Pirlo had an early career stint at Inter before moving to Milan, Calhanoglu took the opposite path.
The Turkiye international signed for the Nerazzurri after seeing out his contract with the Diavolo in 2022.
