Hakan Calhanoglu released a statement insisting his comments blaming Inter coach Simone Inzaghi for the derby defeat to Milan was ‘evidently misinterpreted.’
The comments were made during a video interview with Tivibu Spor in Turkey that immediately went viral in Italy as well.
“Inter are a much stronger squad than Milan,” said Calhanoglu. “We lost a derby that changed suddenly at the 75th minute after Ivan Perisic and I were substituted. We were leading 1-0 and then lost 2-1, so the coach contributed to the defeat and I told him as much.
“In the Coppa Italia semi-final, we beat Milan 3-0.”
The idea that the midfielder was openly blaming Inzaghi for that defeat and had said it to his face inevitably caused shockwaves among Inter fans.
Calhanoglu reacted rapidly, releasing a statement in Italian that tried to calm the situation down.
“Evidently some of my words were misinterpreted by some sections of the media: I never criticised any coach, let alone Mister Inzaghi, who I consider to be a great coach and one who strongly wanted me at Inter, putting his faith in me.
“If my teammates and I had a great season, and won two trophies, a lot of that is down to him.”
Inter won the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana, but lost out to Milan in the Serie A race.
Notably, Calhanoglu did not take back or calm any of the criticism he had also aimed at former Milan teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic, nor the idea that Inter are a better team than the Scudetto winners.
It certainly is not the first time that Inzaghi’s decisions in that Derby della Madonnina have been criticised, because the Nerazzurri were leading 1-0 when he opted to substitute both Calhanoglu and Perisic, going on to lose 2-1.
— Alfredo Pedullà (@AlfredoPedulla) June 22, 2022
That was much more to do with the refs than either Perisic, Inzaghi, or Hakan.
Apparently barging into Alexis Sanchez from behind is not a foul, or so the ref on the day adjudicated, at least.
Complain as much as you want.
Giroud got to the ball first, VAR confirmed it, the goal stand.
Milan won 19th scudetto, Inter was runner up.
Move on.
Hakan is a playing no. 10 role in Judas team.
Hahahaha and hahahahakan.
Like this Turk can wipe the boots of Ibra.
Milan fans cheering here full-time/on; missing out on all other transfer opportunities & updates.
LMAO now he’s wetting his pants like two seconds after the interview comes out. He’s not even man enough to own his words. No wonder his wife did what he did 😂
In addition to being an imbecile and a scoundrel, he is also a tremendous coward… in short: total loss.
Biggest clown there is. Thank GOD he is gone. What a little pantsy
Hahah he is so true, Inter team > Milan team. It is seen by everyone and Milan’s scudetto wont happen next 10 years again.
Mark my comment and dont be crybaby, u won the scudetto so enjoy it, like I said, it is one and only scudetto for next 10 years.
Leave Hakan alone please
He never abused neither did he lambaste Milan since he left
So, why all these hatings on someone that moved on with his life, Milan fans should also move on please.
The most annoying part among is that one boor in his comments even mentioned his wife.
WHY?
Notice he didn’t retract his statement that the defeat was down to Inzaghi, he just sugarcoated it with praises. Appreciate the complaints about the Giroud’s challenge on Sanchez, but a singular decision in a game should not be used as an excuse for an entire season’s outcome. Inzaghi was terrible at holding on to a single goal lead – dropped 17pts after going ahead, which was more than Milan, Juve, Lazio and Roma – and this was the reason Inter did not win the title.
this kid is pathetic…. what a coward and mini man
Never mind what Hakan said about the manager, he is being incredibly rude to his own teammates. He basically said that the others couldn’t beat milan without him. This guy is indefensible.
Physically and mentally weak player. Always falls on the ground while playing. Seeing players like him walking on the San siro pitch and wearing the Milan no 10 was a disgrace