Inter Milan & Italy Star Names Ex Man City Veteran As Biggest Inspiration: ‘I Was Fortunate To Train With Him’ | OneFootball

Inter Milan wingback Federico Dimarco has taken a lot of inspiration from his former Nerazzurri teammate Aleksandar Kolarov.

Speaking to DAZN on the My Skills program, via FCInterNews, Dimarco noted that he felt fortunate to have trained with the former Manchester City, Roma, and Lazio veteran.

Dimarco has certainly proven his technical quality since returning to Inter in 2021.

The Italian international had long shown that he can cross the ball well with his left foot.

But Dimarco has found a higher level seemingly with each passing season under Simone Inzaghi.

From deliveries into the box, to goals, to long switches of play, as well as simple passes, Dimarco has become one of Inter’s key outlets in possession.

But the 27-year-old has certainly had help.

And one player who Dimarco has been able to model his game on has been Kolarov, he admits.

The Serb spent two seasons at Inter. And in truth, his final campaign – the one which overlapped with Dimarco’s time at the club – saw him as a peripheral figure on the pitch.

But that did not prevent Kolarov from having an influence on the training ground. His experience particularly made an impression on Dimarco.

Federico Dimarco Names Aleksandar Kolarov As Biggest Inspiration

Dimarco explained of his technique for crossing that “I always use the instep of my left foot.”

“That’s the part of the foot that allows me to put the right amount of power on it to put the striker in a position to score.”

“A player I’ve always looked to for technique is Kolarov,” the 27-year-old noted.

“I always liked the way he plays. And I was fortunate enough to train with him for a short period.”

Meanwhile, Dimarco said that on free kicks, “Calhanoglu and I are in agreement.”

“He takes them from the left,” the Inter wingback explained. “And I take them from the right.”

“We don’t even need to discuss it.”

“I always try to give him a hand, for example in positioning the wall,” Dimarco said of his teammate and Inter’s other big set piece specialist. “We’re always in tune.”

Meanwhile, Dimarco admitted that “Dribbling is not really a quality that I have.”

“So I prefer to beat a man with the first touch, or a one-two.”

“I like controlling the ball when I’m already at pace,” Dimarco noted.

“In our style of football, getting the tempo of play right is essential,” he added. “We’re always on the move.”

Dimarco said that at Inter, “Our style of play is very enjoyable.”

“I think you can even see it from outside how much fun we have. We also get along well off the pitch, and we show it on the pitch.”