It was a real match of ups and downs for Hakan Calhanoglu as Inter Milan took on Napoli in Serie A yesterday evening.
Today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, highlight the “hero to zero” trajectory of the Turkish international’s evening.
Calhanoglu has become a regular goalscorer for Inter from midfield.
The 30-year-old may play at the base of the Nerazzurri’s midfield trio.
But Calhanoglu is just as prolific as when he played in a more attacking role earlier in his career.
There are a few reasons for this. And one of them was clearly on display against Napoli yesterday.
Calhanoglu is a very accurate long-range shooter.
And the former AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder gave a clear demonstration of that yesterday.
Calhanoglu beat Napoli keeper Alex Meret from a long way out, with a combination of accuracy and sheer pace and power on his effort.
This was a pivotal moment in the match for Inter. It restored not just parity in the scoreline, but also a sense of a foothold in the match for the Nerazzurri.
Hakan Calhanoglu “From Hero To Zero” In Inter Napoli Clash
The other reason why Calhanoglu is a regular scorer for Inter is that he is the team’s first-choice penalty taker.
And it is not hard to understand why.
In three seasons at Inter, Calhanoglu had never missed a penalty. He had also extended that flawless record into this campaign, making it nineteen spot kicks attempted and nineteen scored.
Therefore, Inter will not have had too much worry when Calhanoglu stepped up to the spot yesterday.
The Turk had the chance to put Inter ahead in the top of the table clash.
But Calhanoglu proved that he is human after all.
The 30-year-old smashed the post with his effort.