Inter Milan Coach Must Learn To Manage “Untouchable” Ex AC Milan Midfielder’s Minutes

Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi will have to learn to manage the minutes of “untouchable” midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu.

This is the view in today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews.

So far this season, Calhanoglu has started in every one of Inter’s matches except for one.

The Turkish international got a rest against Monza. He neither started nor came off the bench in last month’s Serie A clash.

That was to keep Calhanoglu fresh for matches against Manchester City and AC Milan.

Unsurprisingly, the 30-year-old started both of those matches.

Against City, Calhanoglu put in a fine display at the base of Inter’s midfield to help his team to a precious point.

On the other hand, against his former team Milan, Calhanoglu looked well below his best. He was part of an Inter midfield that got overrun by the Rossoneri.

This is the conundrum with Calhanoglu.

The former Milan and Bayer Leverkusen man plays an absolutely pivotal role for Inter. He is perhaps the single player who Nerazzurri coach Simone Inzaghi is most reluctant to do without.

But on the other hand, in starting every match, Calhanoglu risks looking tired.

That is obviously not ideal for such an important player.

Inzaghi Must Learn To Manage Minutes Of Hakan Calhanoglu At Inter

Inzaghi will almost certainly turn to Calhanoglu in the starting eleven against Roma in Inter’s first match back from the international break.

And then, against Juventus the following weekend it would certainly be a surprise to see Calhanoglu get a rest.

But in midweek against Young Boys in the Champions League, Kristjan Asllani will in all likelihood get the nod.

The Albanian is Calhanoglu’s understudy. He is the player who started in place of the Turkish international against Monza.

For all of Asllani’s qualities, Inter never look quite the same team with him starting as with Calhanoglu.

But Inzaghi will have no choice.

Sooner or later, the coach must learn how to give Calhanoglu a rest.