Hakan Calhanoglu has been absent due to testing positive to coronavirus, and during that period the Rossoneri did not play as well as a Milan fan would hope. He was missed in the attacking phase.
The daily newspaper of Tuttosport reviews some numbers that certify the importance of the Turkish player for Pioli's team.
Hakan scored 6 assists, like Brozovic and Mertens) only Mkhitaryan ahead in Serie A. The Milan number 10 has 43 shots, 10th in this championship, and 14 key passes as he ranks 4th after De Paul, Ilicic and Berardi.
As an attacking midfielder, writes Tuttosport, "only Calhanoglu transforms into reality all the wishes of Pioli's 4-2-3-1."