‘Now I feel the full weight of disappointment’

From hell to heaven. That was Hakan Calhanoglu’s footballing journey in a few days, with the Turkish international midfielder setting the ball on the goalpost twice and experiencing completely different emotions.

Last Wednesday he was the man of the night as his well-timed penalty, his 19th as many since joining Inter, gave his side a 1-0 win over Arsenal in Matchday 4 of the League Phase of the Champions League.

On Sunday, however, he saw the other side of the coin after, in his 20th penalty as an Inter player, he sent the ball powerfully hitting the right post in the 71st minute of the top-flight derby with Napoli, to stay 1-1 (scorer of the only Inter’s goal himself with a stunning long shot) and miss a golden opportunity to lift the Milanese to the top of the standings.

His frustration was such that he felt the need to vent it through a post he made on his Instagram page on Monday: “Football is a journey rich in emotions.

First you are on top of the world and a moment later you feel the full weight of disappointment. I was really hoping to maintain my positive penalty shootout record, but missing is part of the game.

Now is the time to look ahead.” commented Tsalhanoglou, for whom there are two matches with Turkey in the Nations League against Wales and Montenegro, before returning to Milan and giving in nine matches three matches with Inter: against Verona, Leipzig (Champions League) and Fiorentina.