Dimarco: ‘Without Inter trophies, my goals and assists not worth much’ | OneFootball

Federico Dimarco insists his many goals and assists ‘won’t be worth much’ if Inter don’t win silverware, while Hakan Calhanoglu reveals he wasn’t meant to take the penalty against Genoa.

The mood in the Nerazzurri camp was poor after their midweek Champions League exit to Bodo/Glimt, having lost both home and away in the play-off.

It was also tough to break down Daniele De Rossi’s Genoa, as it required a sensational Dimarco volley from the tightest of angles to beat Justin Bijlow.

The 2-0 result was sealed in the second half by substitute Calhanoglu’s penalty, awarded for an Alex Amorim handling offence.

Dimarco and Calhanoglu focus on Inter silverware

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 28: Federico Dimarco of FC Internazionale scores their team’s first goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Genoa CFC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“It is never easy after a defeat, but every time this team has lost a match, it has got back on track stronger than before,” Dimarco told Sky Sport Italia.

“Some fatigue started to show in the second half, but we got the job done. It is a good season personally, but ultimately what matters is the team. If my goals and assists don’t lead to trophies, then they won’t be worth much.

“I’d prefer to have fewer goals and assists if it means we can win the league.”

It was not an entirely new experience for Dimarco, who scored a similar goal earlier in his career.

“It is tough to explain, I scored a similar one in Verona-Torino. I’m just glad the team won. I’ve been working hard, and hard work does pay off.”

This was Inter’s eighth consecutive Serie A victory, winning 14 of the last 15, yet that form was not replicated in the Champions League.

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 28: Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring their team’s second from the penalty spot goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Genoa CFC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The title could be put beyond reasonable doubt next weekend, when Inter and second-placed Milan go head-to-head in the Derby della Madonnina.

“There are no thoughts about the derby, we are thinking about Como first and then the derby,” concluded Dimarco.

That is because Inter will play Como on Tuesday in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final.

Calhanoglu revealed he was not originally meant to step up to the spot for that penalty after coming off the bench, as Piotr Zielinski was the designated taker.

“I was out for a few months, so it was only right to leave the penalty to Zielinski, but he said I could do it. I still need to find match fitness, but I feel good,” Calhanoglu told Sky Sport Italia.

“We are trying to focus on our own path. Winning is important, we want to keep going like this.”