The captain of the favourites for Saturday’s European Champions League final will not quite be the favourite skipper taking part, at least when it comes to the citizens of Istanbul.
Loved though Ilkay Gundogan is by supporters of Manchester City, appreciated as he is by neutrals who recognise a superb footballer and an inspiring leader, there are tens of millions of Turks who prefer the pass-master of Internazionale’s midfield.
Hakan Calhanoglu is Turkey’s captain, you see, wearer of the armband for the national team, and, for that, a touchstone for what will be significant local presence in the grandstands at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium.
“Turkish fans will be divided,” says Simone Inzaghi, the Inter head coach, “some for Hakan, some for Ilkay.”
A few more, though, lean towards the player who, given the choice, decided to represent Turkey rather than the one who elected, instead of Turkey, to play for his country of birth.
Calhanoglu, 29, and Gundogan, 32, have followed parallel paths to this, the match that will give one of them the greatest prize yet of their careers.
They are both natives of Germany, born to families who moved there from Turkey for work.
Their careers took off with Ruhr clubs, Bayer Leverkusen in the case of Calhanoglu and Borussia Dortmund for Gundogan. By then, they had diverged internationally.
Calhanoglu committed to Turkey, despite interest in him from the German Football Federation, from his early teens. Gundogan, courted by Turkey, said yes to Germany, with whom, but for injury, he would have travelled to the 2014 World Cup and finished with a winner’s medal.
Their journeys to their current clubs were complicated, their growth as midfield all-rounders tied closely to their coaches Inzaghi and Pep Guardiola. Calhanoglu was the first new player into Inter when Inzaghi arrived there in the summer of 2021. The move was controversial: the club Calhanoglu was leaving, having let his contract expire, were AC Milan.
That he crossed the city enraged milanisti; that he joined the fiercest rivals for free stoked the sense of betrayal.
When Milan then won the Serie A title, pipping Inter, the season after Calhanoglu swapped black-and-red for black-and blue, he was taunted. When Inter, with Calhanoglu exerting great influence, beat Milan last month in the Champions League semi-final, he silenced the jeers.
Inter v AC Milan: player ratings
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INTER MILAN RATINGS: Andre Onana 7 – Ever dependable between the sticks for Inter, dealt well with the few shots that headed his way. Held on nicely to an early strike by Brahim Diaz, which was as close as Milan got to scoring all night. Getty -
Matteo Darmian 6 – Had one or two shaky moments up against the rapid Rafael Leao, but improved massively in the second period to shut out the Portuguese international. Reuters -
Francesco Acerbi 8 – A proverbial wall at the back for Inter, starving Olivier Giroud of service all afternoon. A dominant performance by the veteran Italian – especially aerially. Reuters -
Alessandro Bastoni 7 – Looked very solid in Inter’s back three, stepping out impressively at times to assist the hosts in their build-up play. AP -
Denzel Dumfries 7 – Provided real energy down the right for the hosts, while also doing well to deny Leao space in the final third. Another solid display from the Dutchman. AP -
Nicolo Barella 8 – Ran the show centrally, breaking the lines with beautiful driving runs and slick link-up play. The diminutive playmaker oozed class throughout. AP -
Hakan Calhanoglu 7 – Contributed more in a defensive capacity in the first half, helping to shield his backline as Milan pushed for the opening goal. However, his free-kick prowess was also on full display again, as Edin Dzeko almost netted from one of his deliveries just before half-time. AFP -
Henrikh Mkhitaryan 6 – The former Manchester United and Arsenal man got off to a bright start but was unfortunately subbed off with an injury in the first half. Reuters -
Federico Dimarco 6 – A quieter game from the Milan-born full-back, whose role was far more conservative tonight. However, he remained mistake-free defensively and seldom gave the ball away. AFP -
Lautaro Martinez 8 – The Argentine’s match-winning goal was well deserved, as he looked a real threat all evening. After flashing a handful of shots over Mike Maignan’s goal, he made no mistake in the second half, firing home from close range to send Inter to Istanbul. AP -
Edin Dzeko 7 – Not quite as influential as his strike-partner on this occasion, but the 37-year-old very nearly opened the scoring after his headed effort forced an incredible save from Maignan. Dzeko continues to be a menace in and around the penalty box. Getty -
SUBS: Marcelo Brozovic (for Mkhitaryan, 44’) 7 – Settled nicely into the Inter midfield after replacing Mkhitaryan in the first half. Worked hard for the cause and kept things neat and tidy in possession. AP -
Romelu Lukaku (for Dzeko, 66’) 7 – Looked very sharp after replacing Dzeko mid-way through the second half. The Belgian forward even grabbed an assist after playing Martinez in for his winning goal. Getty -
Robin Gosens (for Dimarco, 66’) 6 – Put in a solid shift as Inter looked to tighten their grip on the game in the later stages. Getty -
Joaquin Correa (for Martinez, 84’) N/A – Came on for the final few minutes of the game, adding some good energy to Inter’s press as they closed out the win. Reuters -
Roberto Gagliardini (for Barella, 84’) N/A – The Italian came on for fellow countryman Barella with five minutes left to play. AP -
AC MILAN RATINGS: Mike Maignan 6 – Had a stellar first half, pulling off some world-class saves to deny Dzeko from close range. However, all his good work was undone in the second half, after he failed to get a strong enough hand to Martinez’s match-winning shot. Getty -
Davide Calabria 5 – A tough evening for the Milan captain, who was caught out of position on several occasions. His second-half struggles seemed to perfectly encapsulate Milan’s flat display after a promising opening 30 minutes. Getty -
Malick Thiaw 6 – A mixed game from the young German, who was drafted in to replace the experienced Simon Kjaer. Won a fair few duels throughout, although he did lack composure on occasions, which eventually saw him pick up a yellow card. AFP -
Fikayo Tomori 7 – Much improved from the first leg, not that it helped his side a great deal in the end. The England international dealt especially well with crosses into the box and always looked to be positive on the ball. AFP -
Theo Hernandez 5 – Virtually anonymous throughout, with his biggest contribution in the first half being a mistake inside his own penalty box that almost led to an Inter goal. The hugely talented wing-back had a night to forget. AP -
Rade Krunic 6 – Cut a frustrated figure at times, as Inter outnumbered their cross-city rivals in the centre of the park. Another frustrating outing after his disastrous first-leg display – with the 29-year-old picking up a late yellow just for good measure. Reuters -
Sandro Tonali 7 – Alongside Tomori, he was one of the few bright sparks for Milan. He almost handed his side an early lead after bursting past Darmian, getting to the byline and laying the ball on a plate to Diaz – who squandered the chance. Getty -
Brahim Diaz 5 – Far too wasteful in possession, having also missed the aforementioned guilt-edged chance from Tonali’s cut-back. The former City starlet shows flashes of brilliance, but the end product was lacking on this occasion. Getty -
Junior Messias 6 – Got off to a bright start, getting the better of Bastoni in a handful of early one against one duels. However, the winger tailed off badly in the second half and failed to offer his side a great deal in the final third. Reuters -
Rafael Leao 6 – After missing the first leg due to injury, Milan’s star man almost got them off to the perfect start. However, his powerful first-half run into the Inter box eventually saw him drag his shot just wide. Sadly for the 23-year-old, that was as good as it got all evening. AP -
Olivier Giroud 6 – A tough game up front for the Frenchman, who was largely feeding off scraps. On the odd occasion he did win aerial duels against the likes of Acerbi, his teammates weren’t able to capitalise and feed off his hold-up play. AP -
SUBS: Pierre Kalulu (for Thiaw, 64’) 5 – Looked well off the pace after replacing the carded Thiaw, losing his man for Martinez’s goal. Reuters -
Divock Origi (for Diaz, 76’) 6 – Came on to join Giroud up top in the Milan attack, but hardly had a touch of the ball. Reuters -
Alexis Saelemaekers (for Messias, 76’) 6 – Replaced Messias for the final 10 minutes, but was equally ineffective in the final third. Reuters
Gundogan was City’s first signing after Pep Guardiola joined as manager in 2016. There were risks in luring him from Dortmund. He was in recovery from a knee injury. He ruptured a cruciate ligament two months after making his City debut.
Guardiola kept faith not only in a fit Gundogan as high-energy marshal from deep in midfield, but as a player who could extend his repertoire. In five seasons with Dortmund – where he reached a Champions League final in 2013, converting the equaliser from the penalty spot on the way to a 2-1 defeat by Bayern Munich – he never registered more than four goals in a season.
Since Guardiola began to encourage Gundogan to maximise his impact in the opposition penalty box, he has thrived as a finisher.
In 2020-21 he was City’s top goalscorer, a fact that made his selection as the deepest, only holding midfielder in the XI who lined up to face Chelsea in the Champions League final that season seem even more bizarre. Guardiola’s decision to start both Fernandinho and Rodri on the bench would be heavily criticised after Chelsea won 1-0.
In the two years since, Gundogan has been better protected, Rodri now a mainstay anchoring midfield, John Stones reinforcing that zone. A liberated Gundogan is a chief beneficiary.
Last weekend he passed double figures for goals in a season for the third campaign running, getting there after only 12 seconds of the FA Cup final against Manchester United, and later adding City’s winning goal.
That dramatic early strike at Wembley would have appealed to Calhanoglu, a specialist in long-range shooting. Calhanoglu is also an expert with a dead ball, with direct free-kicks or pinpoint deliveries for teammates to make use of.
A Calhanoglu corner set up Edin Dzeko’s early opening goal in the first leg of the semi-final against Milan, with Inter in charge of the tie from then on.
But, like Guardiola with Gundogan, Inzaghi has stimulated Calhanoglu to discover other fortes. When Mario Brozovic, long-term anchor of Inter’s midfield, suffered injury earlier this season, Calhanoglu was asked to retreat to a deeper role. He made accomplished work of it.
His sense of belonging and progress at Inter was endorsed this week with his committing to extend his contract there.
By contrast, Gundogan, having won five Premier Leagues with City, is considering moving on, seeking another challenge.
If, in his third Champions League final, he at last collects the European medal that has eluded him, he can regard his City adventure as totally fulfilled.
Man City v Man United: player ratings
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MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Stefan Ortega – 7: Little chance with Fernandes’s penalty. Unflustered throughout and distributed the ball well. EPA -
Kyle Walker – 6: Handled Rashford’s pace well and wasn’t really put under any pressure until Garnacho came on. Fluffed a clearance to let Rashford in with a chance. AP -
Ruben Dias – 7: In almost total command of his back line. The Portuguese defender oozed authority and class. Getty -
John Stones - 7: Another assured performance from the England international. Moved between the lines with ease and made a couple of vital interceptions. Reuters -
Manuel Akanji – 7: Shook off a horrible tackle from Casemiro to put in a shift of unfussy quality and composure. AFP -
Rodri – 7: Went close to doubling City’s lead with a clever header early on. Found himself outnumbered by United at times as the game went on but barely put a foot wrong. AFP -
Bernardo Silva – 6: Didn’t get much change out of Luke Shaw but did keep the United left-back occupied to blunt his attacking threat. PA -
Kevin De Bruyne – 8: A quiet first half but clocked up two assists and should have earned a penalty when he was brought down by Fred as he burst into the box. AFP -
Ilkay Gundogan – 10: A masterclass from the City captain. His volleyed opener with his right foot was perfection and his second goal was a clever finish with his left. The definition of a big-game player. PA -
Jack Grealish – 6: Didn’t make his usual impact as Wan-Bissaka kept him under wraps for the most part. Was unlucky to concede the penalty. Getty -
Erling Haaland – 6: Kept United’s back line busy throughout but his finishing was below par. PA -
SUBS: Phil Foden (On for De Bruyne, 76’) – 6: A lively cameo from the young Englishman. AFP -
Nathan Ake (On for Grealish, 89’) – N/A. Aymeric Laporte (On for Walker, 90+4’) N/A. Reuters -
MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David De Gea - 5: Stood stunned as Gundogan’s right footed volley flew past him. His long balls forward were found by blue shirts too often, but he struggled going short too. Should have done better for City’s second. Saved from De Bruyne just after hour mark. Getty -
Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 7: Headed a ball across the City goal, which Grealish handled to concede a penalty. One of the few effective United players in the first half. Booked for a tackle on Grealish. AFP -
Victor Lindelof - 6: Not alert enough for the opening goal and had his hands full with Haaland. Struck by an object thrown from fans after the United penalty, his outstretched leg sent a City ball heading towards his own goal 10 minutes after break. AFP -
Raphael Varane - 6: Turned by Haaland who then shot for goal after 20. Had a chance just before break but wasn’t balanced to get a shot on target. It was the type of chance United needed to score to win. Stopped Haaland scoring in front of the 83,179 crowd. Getty -
Luke Shaw - 6: Difficult for him as City were so effective pressing United back, but he spotted Silva’s runs and did well up against the Portuguese. AFP -
Casemiro - 6: Man of the match in the League Cup final, he didn’t have the same impact though he smelled danger to clear a Haaland attack later in first half. Passes went astray, but he’s still a top performer and important for United in the near future. Getty -
Fred - 5: Won the ball ahead of De Bruyne in the first half, made a silly challenge on the same player at the start of the second, which led to a free-kick and City’s second. Booked for a foul on Grealish. He’s been man of the match against City in the past. He was far from that on Saturday. AFP -
Christian Eriksen - 5: Stopped a 22nd minute attack, but largely ineffective since he needs the ball to create. And his side didn’t have it enough. AP -
Bruno Fernandes - 6: Careless to give the ball to Grealish after 5, but stepped up to finish the first-half penalty, side footing calmly past Ortega to level the score. Did well to get a cross late in game. PA -
Marcus Rashford - 5: Central and on the left. Often had two defenders with him. Tame header towards goal midway through first half. Made key runs in difficult circumstances, ran back to win the ball after 66. Struck shot well moments later, but flew over. EPA -
Jadon Sancho - 5: Played as a central striker at times and had a couple of half-chances and encouraging runs as he tried to weave through City, though it was difficult against Walker and Rodri. Booed by fans of his former club when he came off late in game. AP -
SUBS: Alejandro Garnacho (Eriksen, 61') - 7: Arrival cheered by fans who knew their side needed to be bolder. Clever run, touch and shot wide on 72. United pushed on with him. Getty -
Wout Weghorst (Sancho, 77') N/A: United had gone long for most of the match, so arrival was little surprise. Likely to be his final appearance for United. Reuters -
Scott McTominay (Lindelof, 82') N/A: Came close to scoring near the end. AFP
