Inter Milan Midfielder Admits: ‘I Was Feeling The Pressure’ On Penalty Vs Udinese

Inter Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu admits that he was feeling the pressure when he took his second half penalty against Udinese.

The 30-year-old spoke to Italian broadcaster DAZN, via FCInterNews, after the 2-1 Serie A win.

Calhanoglu’s penalty was an important one for Inter.

When the Turkish international stepped up to take it towards the start of the second half, the Nerazzurri were trailing.

Calhanoglu is a player whose record from the spot is outstanding for Inter. This evening’s was the fifteenth that he’s taken for the Nerazzurri – and the fifteenth that he’s scored.

A key reason for that is that Calhanoglu is a player with great composure.

And then, the former AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen man has always had impeccable technique with his penalties.

That was certainly on full display with the power and placement of his effort past Maduka Okoye this evening.

But that doesn’t mean that Calhanoglu was totally calm and collected as he took that penalty.

Hakan Calhanoglu: “I Was Feeling Pressure” On Penaty Vs Udinese

Of the importance of the win over Udinese in the context of Inter’s Serie A title charge, Calhanoglu said that “When your goal gets closer into view, you sense it more.”

“There are more emotions, you start to feel more sensitive. You don’t want to make any mistakes.”

“As you saw, when the match was over we celebrated intensely, because it was important to win today against a tough team, who sat back and waited for us to attack,” Calhanoglu continued.

“When they scored, I had misplaced a pass. But then in the second half we came back well.”

The Inter midfielder admitted, “On the penalty, I’ll tell you the truth. I felt a bit of pressure.”

“I really wanted to score.”

And of Inter’s captain Lautaro Martinez, who has now gone well over a month without scoring for the Nerazzurri, Calhanoglu said that “He’s doing a great job for the team. On and off the pitch.”

“If he had wanted to take the penalty, I wouldn’t have said anything,” Calhanoglu added. “Because he’s the captain.”

“The reason that he took the ball was to give a sense of calm to the team.”