Hakan Calhanoglu says his goal against Barcelona was his best in the Champions League, and he was “relieved” after scoring a penalty against Arsenal.
The Turkish international spoke to UEFA Magazine, via FCInterNews. He also stressed the need to “give 100%” In the Champions League.
/ is now in his fourth season at Inter Milan.
And the Turkish international has certainly had a memorable time at the Nerazzurri. He has won six trophies in Italy so far.
Calhanoglu has certainly had his role to play in all of those trophies. And he has also scored numerous big goals.
That has arguably been the case even more in the Champions League than it has domestically.
Calhanoglu certainly played a massive part in Inter’s run to the final of that competition in the 2022-23 season. Particularly with their group stage triumph over Barcelona.
Inter Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu noted that “When I play in UEFA competitions, I always commit 100%.”
“Because when you play in the Champions League, all eyes are on you.”
“Everyone’s expectations are different,” the 31-year-old former AC Milan midfielder noted.
“It’s the biggest competition. The Champions League is at the top level. You have to give everything.”
Calhanoglu looked back on his free kick goal against Red Star Belgrade this season. “I was very happy,” he said. “It was a beautiful moment, because it had been a long time since I’d scored a direct free kick for Inter.”
“I enjoyed the moment. I knew that people were waiting and wondering, ‘When will Hakan score a free kick again?’”
Calhanoglu called that moment “fantastic.”
“I was thrilled. I’d put that goal in second place,” he said for his Champions League goals.
Calhanoglu recalled his winner in a group stage match against Barcelona at the San Siro. “I was very close to the ball,” he said. “So I had no freedom of movement.”
The Turk recalled that “I had to think and act quickly, which made it a tough shot.”
“Even if from outside it may have looked easy.”
“I shot in a fraction of a second,” Calhanoglu recalled. “I’d put it in first place.”
And Calhanoglu also recalled another goal from this season, from the spot against Arsenal. He noted that “Arsenal are a strong opponent, difficult.”
“I was happy to have converted the penalty,” the 31-year-old said. “I was relieved.”
