Hakan Calhanoglu will meet his former club Milan for the first time since his controversial move to Inter in the summer.
The Turkish star refused to sign a contract extension with the Rossoneri and after lengthy negotiations with Maldini and Milan directors, he decided to join the Nerazzurri as a free agent.
“Inter are a great team. They won the Scudetto and several derbies during my time at Milan. I came here because I like new challenges,” he explained in September.
Calhanoglu: ‘Milan fans want to take pictures with me, if I score in the derby…’
“I have met many Milan fans because I often go to eat with my family at the restaurant.
“They ask me for photos and say that they love me. I had no problems with anyone at Milan and I am still in contact with my former teammates.”
Safe to say Calhanoglu won’t receive the same welcome when Inter meet Milan at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza tonight.
The derby della Madonnina kicks off at 19.45 UK time and Calhanoglu is expected to start in the middle of the park for the Nerazzurri.
On paper, Milan are the home side tonight, so most fans will wear a Rossoneri shirt.
Indeed, they won’t make Calhanoglu’s life easy every time he touches the ball.
Milan fans already booed Gigio Donnarumma when the Italy international returned to San Siro during the international break in October. Calhanoglu will likely face the same treatment.
However, should he score, he will not hold back and celebrate anyway.
“If it happens, I’ll do as usual,” admitted back in September.
The Turkish star had a taste of what tonight’s welcome will be like as many Milan fans hit out at their former idol after he shared an Instagram post showing him wearing Inter and Milan shirts on the eve of the match.
Calhanoglu scored 32 goals in 172 appearances during his four-year spell at Milan. He has now one goal in nine games with the Nerazzurri.