Gianluca Galliani feels that Inter Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu is “trying to turn the Milan derby into the Istanbul derby.”
Writing in a LinkedIn post, via FCInterNews, the son of legendary former AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani hit out at the Nerazzurri player for courting controversy with his former club the Rossoneri.
For Inter midfielder Calhanoglu, the derby is certainly a special fixture.
The Turkish international spent four years as a Milan player between 2017 and 2021.
However, Calhanoglu decided to cross the derby divide in the summer of 2021. Moreover, he did so on a free transfer, leaving Milan at the end of his contract with the club.
It is hardly the first time that a player has played for both Milan clubs.
Even moves directly between the derby rivals are not necessarily that uncommon.
However, the circumstances of Calhanoglu’s transfer did cause things to heat up.
For one thing, Milan won the Serie A title in the 2021-22 season – Calhanoglu’s first season as an Inter player, having joined the Nerazzurri when they were reigning Italian champions.
And the Milan players taunted their former teammate during their title celebrations. The irony was certainly not lost on them.
Gianluca Galliani: “Hakan Calhanoglu Trying To Turn The Milan Derby Into Istanbul Derby”
It did not take Calhanoglu long at all to win over the Inter fans despite his former Milan allegiances.
And conversely, the former Bayer Leverkusen and Hamburg midfielder quickly alienated supporters of his old team the Rossoneri.
This has led to an extra layer of animosity to the derby between Inter and Milan over the last few seasons.
Gianluca Galiani, son of former Milan CEO Adriano, writes that “One thing I’ve always loved about our city is the civility with which AC Milan and Inter fans face the derby.”
“I can personally testify that in many years with Milan, I’ve never had an Inter fan insult my father or me on the street,” he continues.
“They’ve always been respectful. Despite it being the most successful derby in Europe and the most competitive (no other derby has ten Champions League titles between the two teams.)”
Galliani writes that “The fans go to the stadium together, celebrate, suffer, and enjoy themselves in a healthy way.”
“And then they go home peacefully.”
“But then for the past few years this gentleman has been doing everything he can to turn the Milan derby into the Istanbul derby,” Galliani writes, referencing Calhanoglu.
“With scenes of bad taste on the part of clubs, directors, coaches, players, and fans.”
“It would be good if someone at Inter could explain to him that this is the Milan derby,” Galliani writes. “That he should stop trying to provoke.”
“The Milan derby is beautiful. And I hope it never changes.”
“In my opinion, the taunts and provocations should be left to the fans. The players should act differently.”
Galliani adds that “To be honest, Hakan is not the only one to have provoked.”
“But there have been provocations from both teams. And they should avoid them in the future.”
