Inter Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu has earned Lothar Matthaus comparisons for his decisive performance against Torino.
Today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, hailed the Turkish international for his goalscoring exploits.
Calhanoglu took his goal total in the league for the season to thirteen with his brace against Torino yesterday.
The second of the 30-year-old’s two goals came from the penalty spot.
And that is the route via which Calhanoglu has scored the majority of his goals this season.
The former AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder has been absolutely clinical from the spot. He has yet to miss a penalty – not just this season, but since joining the Nerazzurri.
But that should not take away from Calhanoglu’s record.
The Turk has proved an absolutely reliable finisher on penalty duty. The power and placement of his efforts is a testament to his technical quality. And to a steely-eyed composure.
Moreover, Calhanoglu is also more than capable of scoring from opening from open play.
That was the case with Inter’s opener. Calhanoglu timed his run to the corner of the box perfectly. And then he found the back of the net with a finish every bit as good as any of his penalties.
Hakan Calhanoglu Compared To Lothar Matthaus At Inter
The last time that Inter had a midfielder who regularly hit double figures was more than thirty years ago.
Legendary former Germany and Bayern Munich midfielder Matthaus spent four seasons at Inter, between 1988 and 1991.
In those four campaigns, Matthaus exceeded ten goals in all but one, across all competitions.
Calhanoglu has inherited that mantle, the Gazzetta argues.
The 30-year-old may be primarily a deep-lying midfield.
But playing in a more reserved and defensive role does not mean that he doesn’t still have an eye for goal.
