Inter, Asllani and Calhanoglu’s legacy

Against Lecce the Albanian midfielder was present in the absence of the Turk, as happened in Florence after the Super Cup. The Nerazzurri now have a reliable playmaker behind Hakan

Francesco Sessa

Personality and talent. All of Asllani was there in the ball from the outside to launch Lautaro Martinez into the goal for the goal that sealed the match at Via del Mare. Kristjan strikes a blow, not the first of a season in which Inter have discovered they have a reliable playmaker behind the untouchable Calhanoglu. Hakan isn’t there, the Nerazzurri aren’t suffering. Translated: the boy grows up and does it well. The Turk’s investiture, via social media, is proof of this: “My big brother”. “Master” was Asllani’s response.

STILL PROMOTED

Calha, from the Via del Mare bench, observing the performance of the former Empoli player, will have breathed a sigh of relief: the role is safe. Who knows if it will also be against Atalanta, an important test for the growth of the 21-year-old Albanian (he will turn 22 soon, on March 9): against the Dea, in the absence of the Turk, it will be his turn again, waiting to understand when Calhanoglu will return to its place. This is also why Inzaghi replaced Asllani once he received the yellow card: on Wednesday Inter cannot do without Kristjan, someone who this year has always responded when called upon. In the championship it had only happened from the first minute in Florence, returning from the trip to Riyadh for the Italian Super Cup, when Asllani and Frattesi found themselves replacing the suspended Barella and Calhanoglu, without missing the two starters.

THE ASLLANI PROJECT

Everything is going according to plan. In the summer, when Inter decided to sacrifice Brozovic by focusing on Calhanoglu as a playmaker, the idea was to give more space to Asllani, who was closed down last year by the ruthless competition in the middle. Now he’s there, only him behind Hakan. And here and there, between clips and opportunities as a starter (including two in the Champions League and one in the Italian Cup), he is responding presently. Against Lecce he brought out all his personality and confidence in playing a delicate role: he made very few mistakes (only two wrong passes and four turnovers) and sent Lautaro through on goal at 0-0, with a cross-ball. very high level exterior. Inzaghi couldn’t have asked for anything better from the trip to Florence: the second lines were present. With Asllani, Inter have also found a reliable reserve playmaker: now down with the Goddess.



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