Ex AC Milan Star Admits Inter Milan November MVP Award ‘Wasn’t Easy After Two Injuries’ | OneFootball

Hakan Calhanoglu admits that it “wasn’t easy” to be named Inter Milan MVP for November after a couple injuries.

The Turkish international reacted to winning the award speaking to InterTV ahead of this evening’s Serie A clash with Parma, via FCInterNews.

Midfielder Calhanoglu won Inter’s “player of the month” award for November.

That is in spite of the fact that the 30-year-old former AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder dealt with a couple of thigh injuries in October and November.

Calhanoglu returned from a thigh strain to put in big performances against the likes of Arsenal in the Champions League and Napoli in Serie A.

The Turk scored the winner against Arsenal from the penalty spot.

Then, Calhanoglu scored an equalizer against Napoli in a top-of-the-table clash.

Calhanoglu missed a second half penalty. That was actually the first time that he has ever failed to score a penalty for Inter.

Nevertheless, it was a memorable month for a player who was not letting fitness concerns hold him back.

Hakan Calhanoglu Admits: “Inter November MVP Award Wasn’t Easy After Two Injuries”

Of the fans voting for him as the player of the month for November, Calhanoglu said “Thanks to them.”

“After having two injuries, it wasn’t easy for me,” the Turk admitted.

“I’m happy to be back,” Calhanoglu added. “I’m doing well, and I always try to do my best.”

Meanwhile, Calhanoglu also gave his thoughts on this evening’s opposition Parma.

“They’re dangerous,” he said. “And we know it.”

“They’ve already played well against other big teams like Juve and Milan.”

“We have to stay switched-on,” Calhanoglu warned. “They have quality players, and they’re dangerous on the counter.”

“We can’t lose easy balls,” he stressed.

“And then we have to score goals, and do well defensively.”

“We’ll give everything on the pitch,” Calhanoglu declared.

Meanwhile, Calhanoglu also spoke to DAZN, via FCInterNews. Of his physical condition after a couple thigh injuries, he admitted that “This is the first time this has happened to me.”

“I played for three seasons in a row without issues, and now I’ve had two injuries to the same leg.”

“But I’m happy to be back,” Calhanoglu stressed.

Of the title race, with Inter currently chasing Napoli and Atalanta, the 30-year-old said that “Right now everyone is going at a fast pace.”

“It won’t be easy and we know it. But in my view it’s better that way.”

“They’ve strengthened,” Calhanoglu said of Inter’s major title race. “We’ve stayed the same apart from adding a couple new players.”

“It will be a long season,” he said of the title race.

And Calhanoglu said that Inter “haven’t talked about” the Club World Cup yet.

“We’re just thinking about the league and the Champions League. Then we’ll see what happens.”