Report – Ex AC Milan Star Could Enable Surprise Formation Change At Inter Milan | OneFootball

Midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu could enable Inter Milan to make a surprise formation change under Cristian Chivu.

Today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, anticipate that the Turkish international could play as an attacking midfielder in a 3-4-2-1 formation.

It has been clear that Cristian Chivu wants to change the system at Inter.

The Nerazzurri have played with a 3-5-2 formation for the last six years. However, Chivu wants to keep the back three but reconfigure the midfield and attack.

A lot of the Romanian’s efforts have seemingly focused on a switch to a 3-4-2-1 shape.

Having two attacking midfielders or wingers playing behind a striker would certainly give Inter more firepower in attack.

Inter’s pursuit of Ademola Lookman is a signal of this intended formation switch.

Hakan Calhanoglu Could Allow Inter To Play 3-4-1-2 Shape Under Inter

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 11: Hakan. Calhanoglu of FC. Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and Feyenoord at Stadio San Siro on March 11, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

However, the Gazzetta report that Chivu won’t likely deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation in all matches.

It may be Chivu’s intention to use that system in matches against weaker opposition, or where they are chasing a result.

However, leaving three out-and-out forwards up the pitch could be risky in tougher matches.

Therefore, Chivu is experimenting with a 3-4-1-2 system. This allows for more connectivity between midfield and attack, but still ensures numbers in midfield.

As the Gazzetta note, summer signing Luis Henrique looked to be playing in the hole behind the strikers during Inter’s behind-closed-doors friendly against the Under-23 team.

However, it may well be Hakan Calhanoglu – who has played in attacking midfield for a good chunk of his career – who takes up that mantle.