Stand: December 11, 2024, 5:25 a.m
Von: Lars Pollmann
PressSplit
Bayer Leverkusen and Inter Milan face each other in the Champions League. Hakan Çalhanoğlu returns to his old place of work.
Leverkusen – Not so long ago not many would have thought of the duel between Bayer Leverkusen and Inter Milan as the absolute top game of the Champions League. After five matchdays in the league phase of the reformed competition, the German champions and their counterpart from Italy are among the top eight, who would easily advance to the round of 16 in the new year.
Inter are still unbeaten and have not conceded any goals, the goal difference of 7:0 suggests classic catenaccio. However, this impression belies the true qualities of coach Simone Inzaghi’s team. At the heart of it is Hakan Çalhanoğlu, a former Leverkusen player.
Ex-Leverkusen player Çalhanoğlu changed sides within Milan
The Turkish national player, who was born in Mannheim, dared to change sides within Milan in 2021, moving from AC to Inter. There was no great resentment among the Nerazzurri fans because of this; their real rival in Italy is Juventus. If there were any concerns, Çalhanoğlu has long since swept them away with outstanding performances.
The now 30-year-old professional has made an astonishing development: from a footballing filou to a workhorse who plays an absolute leadership role. Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso raved about Çalhanoğlu before the clash.
“Key players like Joshua Kimmich at FC Bayern”
“As an individual player, Çalhanoğlu has a very, very big influence on her game. It’s not just his degree, it’s more the consequence of many other things he does well. “He’s developed really well,” said the Basque, who played against Çalhanoğlu five times at FC Bayern.
“He played more in the ten position. It often happens that over the years you grow into a deeper role. Now he’s a six and has a great understanding of the game. “He is a key player for Inter, like Joshua Kimmich at FC Bayern, in that way,” said Alonso.
Alonso sees Çalhanoğlu “in the best form of his career”
Such a development could hardly have been imagined at the Werkself. Although Çalhanoğlu played 115 games for Leverkusen, he did not have the status of a completely irreplaceable mastermind. In 2017, the midfielder parted ways after a suspension of several months, which resulted from a kind of youthful sin: According to FIFA, he committed a breach of contract with the Turkish first division club Trabzonspor.
Seven and a half years later, Çalhanoğlu returns to Leverkusen as one of the most dominant midfielders in Europe. “He is in the best shape of his career,” said Alonso. Çalhanoğlu himself was looking forward to returning: “I can’t wait to see former teammates and the staff. I experienced a lot of emotions with Leverkusen.”
