Turkey Star Hailed For Composure Under Pressure In AC Milan 1-1 Inter Milan Coppa Italia Draw | OneFootball

Hakan Calhanoglu has won praise for his composure under pressure in yesterday’s Coppa Italia draw between AC Milan and Inter Milan.

As TuttoMercatoWeb highlight, the player ratings for the Turk in Italian media have been very positive, and not only due to his second half goal.

Midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu took up his usual position at the base of Inter’s trio against AC Milan yesterday.

It is a role that has become very familiar for the former Rossoneri midfielder.

Having played in a more attacking role for Milan, Calhanoglu has really shone in holding midfield at Inter.

Calhanoglu Praised For Composure Under Pressure In AC Milan 1-1 Inter Milan Draw

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale looks o during the Coppa Italia, Quarter Final match between FC Internazionale and SS Lazio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 25, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Hakan Calhanoglu certainly had the standout moment for Inter in the form of his stinging long-range equalizer.

The 31-year-old also tried his luck on a couple direct free kicks. He forced an excellent save out of Milan captain Mike Maignan.

However, Calhanoglu provided far more than just his accurate and powerful long-range efforts.

The Turkish international also dictated the tempo in possession.

This was hardly straightforward. Milan pushed up and aggressively pressed Calhanoglu to try and limit his contribution.

However, Calhanoglu was successful in finding enough time and space for himself to control the match.

There were a number of accurate long balls from the 31-year-old, while his short passing was crisp and kept the tempo high.