After a fierce, fierce and extremely demanding battle, Inter beat Porto 1-0 to gain a slight advantage over the two-legged series.
After the game, major media pointed out that Romelu Lukaku's substitute appearance became a turning point in the game. Indeed it is.
But there is another key turning point in this game, which is also the key to Çalhanoğlu's all-time MVP.
In this battle, the Porto team was very determined to use destruction, containment, pressing, hand-to-hand combat and other methods, and did not intend to play "open" matches from the beginning.
Moreover, Porto has seized every opportunity to start psychological warfare and try to make the most of their relatively rich European fighting experience.
A typical example is when Damian fell to the ground in the penalty area and was injured in the first half, and the referee communicated with the video assistant about penalties.
Inter took the initiative to kick the ball out of bounds in order to treat the player's injury and buy time for VAR, only to learn that there was no penalty.
Just as the Nerazzurri were excited and protesting against the referee, Porto chose not to return the ball in the "spirit of fair play", but tried to sneak attack, which angered the Inter players and caused a confrontation on the field. At that moment, Meazza fans were in their hearts and throats, for fear of a red card tragedy.
Porto's two-pronged approach of "hand-to-hand combat + psychological warfare" has indeed caused great trouble for Inter.
Porto's plan almost succeeded.
In the "confrontation storm", the referee played 50 boards each, and gave both Ottavio and Di Marco yellow cards.
Dima, who was yellow carded afterwards, was a bit restrained, which led to Porto taking advantage of it, and in the 57th minute, Porto took advantage of Di Marco's lack of dare to let go of the action, launched an attack from the right flank, and almost scored - if it were not for Onana's magical two consecutive saves, Inter would have won this game really has to be a huge question mark.
If the Nerazzurri really loses the game because of this goal, go back to the roots, "psychological warfare" is the starting point.
Fortunately, during the process, Çalhanoğlu had enough performance to fill the team's shortcomings.
Two iconic events.
In the first half, Inter, who were very struggling by Porto's double containment kick, showed images of their own family quarrelling.
Onana quarreled with Dzeko. According to people at the scene, it may be that Dzeko thinks Onana's big-foot ball accuracy is not good, and Onana fights back Dzeko too much to cherish physical fitness, and is unwilling to run a few more steps in the fight for the top and back defense.
Needless to exaggerate, it's not uncommon for teammates to talk about each other in the game, and it's not necessarily a big deal, but it happens when Inter are struggling to play, but it can't be left to the ground and must be held back. Fortunately, at the crucial moment, Charhan went up and blocked Onana's mouth and avoided the deterioration of the situation - in the emotional moment, the team needs this key role to maintain sanity the most.
In fact, in this game, Charkhan is one of the players who fight the hardest.
A total of 14 confrontations, 3 fouls, 2 fouls, 2 tackles, 2 interceptions... He fought his opponents many times.
Ken has the fighting spirit, which is very valuable. But when fighting hard and boiling hormones, you can still think rationally, and the wisdom of the game, which is even more valuable - many times, what Inter lack, isn't this it?
Because of this psychological quality, Çalhanoğlu directly changed the game.
Porto's midfielder Ottavio was the most ruthless all-time foul king in the game and a key player in the previous confrontation.
In the second half, Çalhanoğlu launched an inside cut on the wing, shaking past many people in Porto, which was easy to make the opponent rush into the fire, and even regarded it as a "provocation", which made Ottavio lose his mind, sent the fourth big action foul of the game, and was sent off with a red card. This became a key turning point for Inter's final comeback attack. Ottavio's suspension from the second leg may also have a greater impact on the series, and more importantly, it makes Porto's strategy of "hand-to-hand combat + psychological warfare" completely frustrated, turning it into a "cocoon of self-restraint". This is all the merit of Çalhanoğlu.
Recently, Charkhan has been an important "positive energy" for Inter.
Three reasons.
First of all, Inter have had a lot of problems recently due to lack of emotional control, not to mention things like hand-outs, just quarrels on the field have appeared many times.
At this time, it is really necessary for a player like Charhan to stand up and warn the whole team: what is the ability to greet the opponent, nag in front of his own comrades, and vent negative emotions?
In addition, a number of media confirmed that Inter are about to officially announce the renewal of Charhan's contract.
If this "Mr. Status" is successfully renewed, it can be said that under the premise that Perisic, Skriniar and others "deviated" the direction of the renewal wind, Inter need such a typical example.
Third, since the beginning of this season, Inter's lineup and tactical framework have always been "running routines", often following steps, lacking changes, and easily not crossing the thunder pool for half a step, which is suspected of "self-style".
It is understandable to be conservative, the problem is that now the Nerazzurri as a whole is aging, and it will be difficult to have heavyweight signings in the next 1-2 years, and if you always hold on to the existing routine, it may only get worse and worse, gradually regressing.
One of Inter's most important frame-breaking tactical attempts so far this season has been to switch positions and drag the back, which has been a great success. With such a positive example of "getting stronger and stronger", if the coaching staff can be encouraged to make more changes, then the benefits of the Nerazzurri will be strategic.