Hakan Calhanoglu’s Penalty Paradox: The Uncanny Curse Behind Inter’s Spot-Kick Specialist

Inter Milan’s Hakan Calhanoglu has established himself as one of Serie A’s most reliable penalty takers. His near-flawless record, however, is shadowed by a bizarre statistical anomaly. Two of his rare misses share an uncanny and precise set of circumstances that has fans and pundits baffled.

This strange pattern involves the same minute, the same matchday, and the same goal at the San Siro stadium. According to reports from Gazeta Express, the Turkish midfielder has missed only two penalties from 29 attempts for Inter, making the coincidence even more striking.

The ‘Curse’ at the Curva Nord

The first miss occurred in November 2024 against Napoli. Calhanoglu stepped up in the 74th minute, shooting towards the goal in front of the Curva Nord. His effort was saved, denying Inter a crucial goal. The specifics of that moment seemed like a one-off event in an otherwise stellar record from the spot.

Incredibly, the exact scenario repeated itself one year later. In November 2025, during the Derby della Madonnina against AC Milan, Calhanoglu again took a penalty at the 74th minute. As reported by Football Italia, he shot towards the same Curva Nord net, and Mike Maignan made the save. The repetition of the same minute, matchday, and goal has been dubbed a ‘penalty curse’ by observers.

A Specialist’s Streak, Interrupted

Outside of these two peculiar events, Calhanoglu’s accuracy is exceptional. He has converted 27 penalties for Inter Milan, a success rate that places him among Europe’s elite spot-kick specialists. This reliability has been a key asset for the Nerazzurri in tightly contested matches.

His prowess contributes significantly to his goal tally. As highlighted by Gazeta Express, Calhanoglu is currently a joint-top scorer in Serie A with five goals. This demonstrates his overall importance to the team’s offensive efforts, with penalties being a central part of his contribution.

What Lies Ahead for Inter’s Maestro

The team’s schedule now offers a change of scenery. Inter faces upcoming fixtures away from the San Siro, including a Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid and a Serie A match against Pisa. These matches provide a break from the stadium where the strange pattern emerged.

For Calhanoglu, the focus remains on maintaining his high performance level. The two misses are statistical outliers in a career defined by precision and composure. His ability to bounce back from these moments will be tested, but his overall record suggests resilience.

Calhanoglu’s penalty paradox highlights football’s unpredictable nature, where even the most reliable specialists can encounter strange patterns. His overall record remains a testament to his skill and nerve. The next penalty at the Curva Nord will be watched with intense interest.

Thought you’d like to know

How many penalties has Calhanoglu scored for Inter?

He has scored 27 penalties for Inter Milan. This is from a total of 29 attempts, giving him an impressive success rate.

When did Calhanoglu miss his penalties?

He missed one in November 2024 against Napoli. He then missed another in November 2025 against AC Milan, both in the 74th minute.

Is Calhanoglu a top scorer in Serie A?

Yes, he is currently a joint-top scorer. He shares the spot with five goals, as noted by sports statistics trackers.

What is next for Inter Milan?

The team plays Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. They then have a Serie A fixture against Pisa, both matches are away from home.

Why is the coincidence so unusual?

Both misses happened on the same league matchday. They also occurred in the same minute and were shot into the same goal at San Siro.