Champions League | Bayer Levekusen v Inter: Match Prediction, Preview, Team News and Lineups

A titanic clash awaits in the Champions League as German champions Bayer Leverkusen host Italian giants Inter Milan at the BayArena on Tuesday evening. This highly anticipated matchup pits two of Europe’s in-form sides against each other, with both teams eyeing automatic qualification for the knockout stages.

Bayer Leverkusen enter this contest in impressive form, having won seven of their last eight home games in European competition. Xabi Alonso’s men currently sit sixth in the Champions League table with 10 points from five matches, including a recent 5-0 thrashing of Red Bull Salzburg. Their only setback came in a 4-0 defeat at Liverpool, but they’ve since bounced back with five consecutive wins across all competitions.

Inter Milan, meanwhile, are riding high in second place with 13 points. The Nerazzurri have won their last four Champions League matches without conceding a goal, showcasing their defensive prowess. Simone Inzaghi’s side have lost just once in 19 matches this season and are locked in a fierce battle for Serie A supremacy.

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For Leverkusen, all eyes will be on Florian Wirtz. The young German international has been in scintillating form, scoring the opener in three different Champions League games this season. With injuries to key attackers, Wirtz may be deployed as a false nine, supported by the creative talents of Granit Xhaka in midfield.

Inter’s attack is spearheaded by the dynamic duo of Marcus Thuram and Mehdi Taremi, while Hakan Calhanoglu pulls the strings in midfield. The Turkish international, who previously played for Leverkusen, will be eager to make an impact against his former club.

This will be the fourth meeting between these sides, with Inter winning all three previous encounters. Their last Champions League clash came in the 2002-03 season, where Inter triumphed both home and away.

Leverkusen have been prolific at home in European competition, scoring 21 goals more than their opponents in their last eight matches at the BayArena. However, they face a stern test against an Inter side that has kept a clean sheet in all five of their Champions League games this season.

Team News

Bayer Leverkusen are grappling with several injuries in attack. Victor Boniface, Patrik Schick, Jonas Hofmann, and Amine Adli are all sidelined, forcing Alonso to get creative with his lineup. Expect to see Nathan Tella partnering Wirtz in a makeshift forward line.

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Inter Milan have fewer injury concerns, with only Benjamin Pavard confirmed to be out. Francesco Acerbi has resumed partial training and could make the bench. Simone Inzaghi may opt for some rotation, given the team’s busy schedule.

Expected Starting XIs

Bayer Levekusen: Kovar; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Xhaka, Andrich, Garcia, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Tella

Inter Milan: Sommer; Bisseck, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Dimarco; Thuram, Taremi

Match Prediction

Given Leverkusen’s injury woes in attack and Inter’s formidable defense, this match could be a tightly contested affair. While the German side’s home form is impressive, Inter’s experience and tactical nous may prove decisive.

A 1-1 draw seems a likely outcome, with both teams maintaining their strong positions in the group. Leverkusen’s attacking prowess should be enough to breach Inter’s defense, but the Italian side’s counter-attacking threat and big-game experience could see them leave Germany with a valuable point.

Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Inter

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