Inter win 1-0 at Cagliari as Çalhanoğlu strikes in the ninth minute

Hakan Çalhanoğlu settled Inter’s visit to Cagliari with a ninth-minute strike, giving the Milan side a 1-0 victory in the second round of the league season.

The goal came after Nicolò Barella laid the ball off to Çalhanoğlu near the edge of the area. The midfielder’s effort passed through a crowded penalty area, leaving Cagliari goalkeeper Elia Caprile unable to see it clearly.

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We don’t even want to discuss it, we don’t want to give him up.

Lautaro Martínez again led Inter’s attack alongside Pio Esposito. The captain’s position at the club had drawn attention after reports linked him with a move to Barcelona, but president Beppe Marotta rejected the idea. “We don’t even want to discuss it, we don’t want to give him up,” Marotta said.

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There are nuances and moments that a coach has to understand. We must not forget the World Cup final. For me, the person comes before the footballer, so if I can help a player, I do it.

Chivu also defended his decision to keep Martínez in the starting lineup. “There are nuances and moments that a coach has to understand. We must not forget the World Cup final. For me, the person comes before the footballer, so if I can help a player, I do it,” he said.

The coach later described Martínez as Inter’s captain because of his attachment to the club and said he appeared highly motivated for the season. Marcus Thuram had returned to group training but had not fully recovered from calf problems, while Benjamin Pavard started on the right side of Inter’s defense. Inter’s Champions League schedule will begin away to Real Madrid, followed three days later by a match against Napoli.

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He is our captain because of his love for these colors. I feel he is highly motivated, with the right ambition, and I see him almost ready to have a great season.