Calhanoglu revisits time at Milan, working with Giampaolo and leaving for Inter | OneFootball

Hakan Calhanoglu has once again spoken about his time with AC Milan, before he made the decision to join rivals Inter on a free transfer.

Calhanoglu’s switch from Milan to Inter in 2021 is one that was very controversial at the time and started a fire that still burns on for many. Some Rossoneri supporters see it as a betrayal, leaving for a city rival, while the Nerazzurri added someone who became a key pillar under Simone Inzaghi.

After being runner-up to Inter in the Scudetto battle when he was with Milan in 2020-21, he had to watch his former team-mates celebrate the lifting of the league title the next season. However, last year it was the blue half of the city that emerged victorious and got a second star.

Calhanoglu was interviewed by Corriere dello Sport and it was published this morning. The Inter midfielder revisited his time at Milan including working under Marco Giampaolo.

“Joining Inter? I can say that it was, first of all, a major change in my life. Because moving here from Milan is not easy. But I had always liked Inter, even in the past,” he said (via MilanPress).

“From the first day in black and blue, an extraordinary journey began, which marked my career and made me the player I am. Finishing my career at Inter? I hope so, it is my hope.

“Also because I am no longer that young. And in football you can never know what will happen. But I will certainly stay as long as possible.

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“My first year at Milan was difficult, because I was coming off a six-month suspension. I wasn’t in good shape. Then everything improved. I think everyone lined me up because, fundamentally, I’m a team player and I always work for the good of the team.

“I was always available to play in the position I was asked to play, wide left or attacking midfielder. In addition, Giampaolo was the first to line me up as a playmaker, in a match against Udinese, on the first day of the season [2019-20].

“We didn’t get to spend much time together because he was fired. I was disappointed, because I was happy there. I appreciated his ideas and I liked Giampaolo as a person. I’m happy that he’s now at Lecce and that he’s doing well.”