Three Nerazzurri among the top 11 players in Serie A so far this season

Samir Handanovic, Marcelo Brozovic and Hakan Calhanoglu have made Opta’s TOP 11 for Serie A’s opening half of the 2021/22 season. Inter lead the way after the first 19 games on 46 points with Simone Inzaghi’s team closing 2021 with seven wins on the bounce, six of which came without conceding a goal.

Opta chose its ideal formation using performance and various player statistics. With Inter having the best attack in the league (49 goals) and the second-best defence (15 conceded), they see three players in the top 11.

Samir Handanovic has started in all 19 league games without conceding on nine occasions, the last six of which have come back to back, making him the keeper with the best record of clean sheets. He has been beaten 15 times (three times from penalties) with a save percentage of 77.9% making him the best in the league. This season Handanovic has also passed an important milestone becoming one of the top 10 players in the history of Serie A in terms of appearances.

Marcelo Brozovic has also started all 19 games this campaign with a total of 1,576 minutes played (excluding injury time) having been substituted seven times. The linchpin of the Nerazzurri’s midfield, Brozovic has completed 94% of his passes so far this season with an average of 79 passes per game. He’s been involved in more sequences ending in a shot than any other player this campaign (112) as well as being the player with the most passes completed (1,380). His stats also show one assist, 19 key passes and 90% pass accuracy in the opponents’ half. The Croatian hasn’t just been important in Inter’s build-up play, he’s also been a key figure in terms of regaining possession.

Hakan Calhanoglu has made a terrific start for the Nerazzurri. He’s played in 17 games, starting 16 times, and has been substituted 14 times. The Turkish midfielder has scored six goals, twice from the penalty spot and four from outside the area! Out of his 23 attempts 11 have been on target, resulting in six goals. He’s also been the master of assists. His corners have been lethal bringing him to seven assists for a total of 13 goals and assists, more than any other midfielder in Serie A.