Ex Italy Coach Predicts Ex AC Milan Star To Be Decisive In Serie A Title Race: ‘Inter Milan Have It In Hand If He’s Fit’ | OneFootball

Cesare Prandelli feels that Inter Milan “have the Serie A title in hand” if Hakan Calhanoglu stays fit the rest of the season.

The former Italy and Fiorentina coach identified the Turkish international as the decisive player for the title race speaking to the Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInter1908.

Calhanoglu is currently out with an injury.

The 30-year-old should return around the end of January. That is not necessarily a long time.

However, it has already seen Calhanoglu miss a few matches. It will likely see him out for a few more between Serie A and the Champions League.

So far, Inter’s record in Calhanoglu’s absence has been mixed.

The Nerazzurri secured a fairly convincing win against Venezia. That was with Kristjan Asllani filling in for Calhanoglu ably in holding midfield.

However, Asllani struggled more against Bologna on Wednesday.

Prandelli: “inter Have Serie A Title In Hand If Calhanoglu Stays Fit”

As far as the title race in Serie A, Prandelli anticipated that “A great deal will depend on the fitness of Calhanoglu.”

“No team has as many weapons as Inter,” he went on. “The Scudetto is in their hands.”

Prandelli argued that that is “to the extent that they’re able to prove their superiority on the pitch, day after day.”

“But if they’re going to do that, then their regista will have to miss as little time as possible,” the former Italy and Fiorentina coach suggested.

“Calhanoglu also gives them the unpredictability that Inzaghi’s system needs,” he argued.

“When the Turk is absent, the team is still very strong. But it takes more effort when they don’t have big spaces in front of them.”

“Rather than talking about the quality of the backups compared to the starters, I’d focus on the fact that Calhanoglu is truly indispensable for Simone’s team,” prandelli argued.

“He remains one of the few players who really sees things others don’t.”