Ex AC Milan Star Could Be Benched In Inter Milan Vs Fiorentina Serie A Clash After Lacklustre Performances | OneFootball

Hakan Calhanoglu could drop to the bench for Monday’s Serie A clash between Inter Milan and Fiorentina after a couple lacklustre performances.

This according to today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews.

Midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu has been back for the past couple matches for Inter.

Having the Turk back is certainly a boost for Inter, at least on paper.

Calhanoglu is certainly one of the Nerazzurri’s key players in midfield.

However, the performances that Calhanoglu has put in in matches against AC Milan and Fiorentina at the start of February have deeply underwhelmed.

There has been a sense that Calhanoglu has not fully shaken off his injuries. He has lacked match-sharpness.

The fact that Calhanoglu has twice given away the ball directly leading to costly goals has been a big concern.

Hakan Calhanoglu Could Be Benched For Inter Vs Fiorentina Serie A Clash

According to Tuttosport, there is a very real chance that Hakan Calhanoglu could therefore drop out of the starting eleven.

Inter host Fiorentina in Serie A on Monday. That match comes just a few days after facing the same opposition in the reverse fixture.

FLORENCE, ITALY – DECEMBER 1: Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale in action during the Serie A match between Fiorentina and FC Internazionale at Stadio Artemio Franchi on December 1, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

And the pressure to respond with a much different performance than the one on Thursday is huge.

Therefore, it’s hardly impossible that Inter coach Simone Inzaghi could bench Calhanoglu.

The Turk may simply not be at his best on a physical level right now.

Therefore, Tuttosport report, Inzaghi’s plan may be to rest Calhanoglu and hope that he’s at his freshest for the Derby d’Italia against Juventus next weekend.