Gökhan Inler

swissinfo.ch

Gökhan Inler, the Swiss who plays for Italian team Udinese, is primed for one of the deciding tournaments of his career.

The mid-fielder tells swissinfo about his new life in Italy and his thoughts ahead of Euro 2008.

“Inler … Inler … kicks … and scores!” One of the many fans watching Udinese’s afternoon training session from behind a metal fence is imitating a sporting commentator to make his friends laugh.

Two days earlier the Swiss player of Turkish origin had indeed scored a brilliant goal with his left foot that gave his side into the lead against Fiorentina. Udinese eventually won the match 3-1.

“To tell you the truth, it’s been a long time since we’ve done so well in Serie A,” said one fan.

Inler’s performance has not gone unnoticed. La Gazzetta dello Sport, the so-called “pink bible”, awarded him an excellent score of 7.5 (eight and above is rare) saying: “The best player on the field, another discovery by Giampaolo Pozzo [the Udinese president]. Gökhan Inler, bought for the equivalent of a slice of bread, is worth millions.”

If certain Italian sports journalists are to be believed, it would cost SFr10-15 million ($9.6-14.4 million) to prise the Swiss from Udinese Calcio, where his contract runs until 2012.

Commitment

So how does Inler keep his feet on the ground when faced with such a chorus of praise and interest from prestigious clubs such as Juventus and Barcelona? And especially appearing in the same team as Italian national players such as Quagliarella and Di Natale?

“You have to give your all to football, focus on your work and don’t rest on your laurels. Every day is a new challenge, you have to invest deeply in it,” he says. “I’ve always followed this course of action, right from the start of my professional career.”

Inler acknowledges that even though the level of play is already relatively high in Switzerland, the task is even more demanding in Italy.

“The media are even more present and the pressure is really strong. In addition, Italian football requires major commitment, you have to continuously seek perfection,” he says.

“Within this context, it is essential to be able to step back and find the necessary peace to maintain your private life. My girlfriend and I chose to live outside town – this gives us a certain solitude and tranquillity.”

Inler, a Muslim, adds: “I don’t usually go out; I don’t drink or smoke. In my free time I prefer to stay at home and play with my two dogs and stay in contact with my family and friends in Switzerland. That’s how I recharge my batteries and stay focused.”

He says he always tries to be friendly and available for supporters and journalists, even after a defeat and if his performance was not up to scratch.

Focus

When considering the main differences between the Swiss and Italian leagues, Inler says the latter require being ready at tactical as well as physical levels.

“In Italy, the smallest error immediately results in a goal by the opposing team,” he said.

In town the euphoria is palpable among the fans, and Inler says some are already dreaming of the Champions League. “The players shouldn’t let themselves be carried away by speculation – instead we have to concentrate on the next match.”

Seconds later a fan congratulates him and asks what he’s doing after our interview.

“I’m going to chill out at home,” Inler replies in Italian.

“But how can you go home after such a goal?” another man jokes.

“I’m going to play with my dogs,” Inler replies with a smile.

swissinfo, Andrea Clementi in Udinese

Gökhan Inler

Gökhan Inler was born on June 27, 1984 in Olten, canton of Solothurn, where he grew up with his parents and brother Volkan. He started playing football at the age of six in the local club. He then quickly moved onto FC Solothurn where at the age of 16 he joined the first team. He then attracted the interest of FC Basel.

Inler put on the Basel strip in the under-21 category in the 2004/05 season. The following year he moved into the Super League with FC Aarau and took his first steps in the national under-21 team.

He then signed a contract with FC Zurich where he won the 2006/07 championship at the age of 22.

He then opted for adventure abroad, with Udinese. He started in Serie A on August 27, 2007 at the San Siro stadium in Milan. Two months later Inler scored his first goal for Udinese, against Torino.

Udinese

Udinese Calcio is one of the oldest clubs in Italy and the top team from the city of Udinese and the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region in the northeast of the country.

Udinese has shown a major interest in young talent that it recruits and then signs to rich clubs. In recent years, numerous Udinese players have gone on to shine in their national team.

Among them were Vincenzo Iaquinta (now signed by Juventus), European champion Oliver Bierhoff (who became Italian champion with AC Milan) and the Brazilian Marcio Amoroso.