Hakan Calhanoglu disputed the refereeing decision that handed Milan a late equaliser in their preseason derby with Inter, insisting the penalty should not have been given.
The friendly in Perth finished 1-1, with the two Milanese sides sharing the points on Australian soil. Federico Dimarco put Inter ahead early in the second half before Christopher Nkunku levelled from the spot in the closing stages.
Speaking to DAZN afterwards, Calhanoglu made clear he disagreed with referee Lachlan Keevers over the spot-kick. Asked if he had been unlucky with the decision, he said: “Let’s put it that way. Everyone saw it wasn’t a penalty, but that’s fine. The referee decided that way, and that’s fine. We did a good job, we’re working hard and putting fuel into our legs.”
The mood was lighter once the whistle went. During the handshakes, Calhanoglu shared a brief exchange with Luka Modric, who had come off the bench and impressed after joining Milan. The Croatian joked with his former Inter opponent about his new appearance, having turned up with a shaved head.
For all the friendly needle, this was preseason fitness work dressed up as a derby, and the penalty call will bother Calhanoglu far less by the time competitive football returns.