A Hakan Calhanoglu penalty sent Inter on their way to a 2-1 win over Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium and his overall performance on a stormy evening in Bergamo won him the Serie A Player of the Week award for Matchday 11.
With conditions hampering both sides in Lombardy, the Turkey international scored just before half-time and Lautaro Martinez scored an impressive solo goal just after the break. The Nerazzurri then rode out some late pressure from La Dea, who could only net a consolation through Gianluca Scamacca.
Will Hakan Calhanoglu finally get his scudetto medal?
Since arriving at AC Milan during the summer of 2017, the 29-year-old has been one of the most consistent and impressive performers in Serie A, but was unfortunate to cross the Milanese divide to reigning champions Inter the season in which the Rossoneri finally lifted the scudetto.
Despite winning two Coppa Italia trophies with the Nerazzurri, Calhanoglu‘s current performances suggest his ultimate goal is to win the Serie A title before leaving the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. When Inter were awarded a spot kick on 40 minutes, it was always the ex-Bayer Leverkusen man they were going to turn to.
Clinical Calhanoglu always on target from the spot
When Calhanoglu confidently smashed the penalty beyond goalkeeper Juan Musso, seemingly unconcerned with the chances of the rain-soaked surface increasing the chances of embarrassment, it was his 10th successively converted spot kick for Inter, and 13th overall in club football.
Although the midfielder missed one during 2024 European Championship qualifying against Wales, that is one of just four in 36 attempts and the first since November 2016, during his time in the Bundesliga. With Juventus breathing down their necks at the top of the standings, it is that level of dependency in crucial moments Inter need as the season progresses.
