As Barella tells it, though, the journey here began with defeat by Sevilla in the 2020 Europa League final. He has delivered in key moments on this run to the final, scoring the opening goal in both legs against Benfica as well as his team’s first in the 3-3 group stage draw with Barcelona. He is a tireless runner – only Milan’s Sandro Tonali has covered more distance in this season’s Champions League – and selfless contributor at both ends of the pitch but has sometimes struggled to contain his frustration when teammates fail to match his high standards. Samir Handanovic remains Inter’s captain, and others have worn the armband since the goalkeeper lost his starting role, yet it is Barella who often sets a tone. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Nicolò Barella Hakan Calhanoglu enjoys Inter’s Coppa Italia final win over Fiorentina last month.

Regardless of where he lines up, Calhanoglu will back himself, recently saying: “I see myself as one of the top five in Europe at what I do.” “It’s the most beautiful city in the world for me,” he said in an interview for Uefa last week, adding that he hoped the final could bring some joy to his country after the earthquake that cost tens of thousands of lives this year.Īdapted by Inter’s manager, Simone Inzaghi, from a No 10 into a deep-lying playmaker, his position changed again when Henrikh Mkhitaryan was injured in the second leg of their semi-final win over Milan, moving into a box-to-box role on the left of the midfield three so that Marcelo Brozovic could slot into the middle. No Turkish player has won the Champions League but Calhanoglu, captain of the national team, hopes to become the first in Istanbul. They ought to be worried about us, too.” Hakan Calhanoglu The important thing is to be ourselves and attack City with courage. Martínez is all too aware that his compatriot completed his haul with a pair in the Champions League final.

In any case, he has been prolific for Inter, scoring 28 times – two shy of Diego Milito’s tally during their 2010 treble-winning campaign.

Download football tactics games