CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
10.12.2024 | 23:57
Leverkusen’s Nordi Mukiele, center, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League opening stage soccer match between bayer Leverkusen and Inter Milan at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. ( (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
@2024 IMAGE MARTIN MEISSNER/AP
The game between Leverkusen and Inter was in the balance for 89 minutes,but Mukiele failed to come on in the 90th minute and redeem Xabi Alonso’s side,giving them a stunning victory in their bid to get into the top 8 of the Serie A Champions. Series.
Having won the double in Germany last season, Leverkusen are also looking to rise to the top in Europe, and their run in the Champions League Stage so far underlines their lofty ambitions.
It provided further evidence on Tuesday night (10/12) for Matchday 6, when xabi Alonso’s side found a strong defensive wall from Inter for 89 minutes but tore it down in deafening fashion in the 90th minute with Mukiele signing the final 1-min. 0 for the hosts which brings them close to the goal of getting into the top 8.
The game
Leverkusen looked to surprise Inter from the opening minutes and it
almost came after just 3 minutes, when Tella’s curling shot from inside the area sent the ball ripping the crossbar.
The situation did not change much in the second half,with Xabi Alonso’s men looking for the goal with more time on the ball at their feet and Simone Inzaghi’s men playing mostly defensively,with the main aim of keeping a clean sheet in the town.
until the 89th minute, the Milanese looked like they could achieve their mission by maintaining their unbeaten streak in the League Stage, but in the 90th minute came Inter’s composure and redemption for Leverkusen, with Mukiele beating Sommer from range close after the season and seal 1-. 0 wins for Aspirins, which enables them to take a strong direct ticket to the 16 of the event.
- Leverkusen: kovar, Tapsoba, Ta, Hinkapie, Mukiele, Xhaka, Palacios, Grimaldo (90′ Garcia), Fribong, Tella (83′ Terrier), Wirtz (90′ Andrich)
- INTER: Sommer, Bisek, De Frey, Bastoni, Darmian, Fratezi (66′ Aslani), Calhanoglu (66′ Barela), Zielinski, Augusto (56′ Dimarco), Turam (66’ Martines), Taremi (85′ arnautovic)
Matchday 6 schedule and results
Tuesday, December 10
- Dinamo Zagreb – Celtic 0-0
- Girona – Liverpool 0-1
- Brest – Eindhoven 1-0
- Shakhtar – Bayern 1-5
- Brugge – Sports 2-1
- Salzburg - Paris 0-3
- Leipzig – Aston Villa 2-3
- Leverkusen – Inter 1-0
- Atalanta – Real 2-3
Wednesday, December 11
- 19:45 Atletico – Slovenia Bratislava
- 19:45 Lille – Sturm Graz
- 22:00 Benfica – Bologna
- 22:00 Milan – Red star
- 22:00 Dortmund – Barcelona
- 22:00 Feyenoord – Prague Sparta
- 22:00 Juventus – Manchester City
- 22:00 Stuttgart – Young Boys
- 22:00 Arsenal – Monaco
The next day
Tuesday 21 January
- 19:45 Monaco – Aston Villa
- 19:45 Atalanta – Sturm Graz
- 22:00 Atlético – Leverkusen
- 22:00 Benfica – Barcelona
- 22:00 Red Star – Eindhoven
Wednesday, January 22
- 22:00 Sparta Prague – Inter
- 22:00 Feyenoord - Bayern
- 22:00 Arsenal – Dinamo Zagreb
- 22:00 Milan – Girona
- 22:00 Paris – Manchester City
- 22:00 Real – Salzburg
- 22:00 Celtic – Young Boys
The equality criteria
- Goal difference
- Better attack
- Away attack better
- Win
- Win away
- Points earned against League Stage opponents
- Goal difference against League Stage opponents
- Better offense than League Stage opponents
- lower control points
- Team rating in the UEFA classification
what key strategies did Bayer Leverkusen utilize to secure their victory against Inter milan in the Champions League?
Title: Champions League Showdown: Analyzing Leverkusen’s Triumph
Interviewer: Welcome to Time.news! today, we have a special guest, renowned football analyst Dr. Elena Rossi, joining us to discuss Bayer Leverkusen’s thrilling victory against Inter Milan in the Champions League.Thank you for being here, Dr. Rossi!
dr. Rossi: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here and discuss such an exciting match.
Interviewer: What a match it was! The game hung in the balance for 89 minutes before Leverkusen finally broke through. What did you think of their performance overall?
Dr. Rossi: it was a masterclass in persistence, realy. Leverkusen demonstrated unbelievable composure and tactical awareness,especially against a defensively solid team like Inter Milan.Despite not being able to crack their defense for most of the game, they kept pushing and ultimately found a way to succeed.
Interviewer: Mukiele’s late goal must have been a turning point. How crucial was that moment for Leverkusen’s ambitions in the Champions League?
Dr. Rossi: Very crucial! Mukiele’s goal not only secured the victory but also highlighted Leverkusen’s potential as serious contenders in the tournament. It shows that they can deliver in high-pressure situations,which is essential for teams aiming for the top. It’s about building momentum, and a late winner like that can really boost a team’s confidence going forward.
Interviewer: Speaking of momentum, Leverkusen previously won the double in Germany last season.how does their success domestically translate to their European aspirations?
Dr. Rossi: Winning the double instills a winning mentality—a belief that they can succeed not just at home but also on international stages. This confidence is vital in a tournament as challenging as the Champions League, where teams face different tactical styles and pressures. Leverkusen has shown that they are not just content to dominate in Germany; they also want to make a name for themselves in Europe.
Interviewer: Xabi Alonso has certainly made a swift impact as taking charge. How has his managerial style influenced the team’s performance?
Dr. Rossi: Alonso’s tactical approach has been innovative yet pragmatic.He emphasizes a robust defensive strategy while allowing his players the freedom to express themselves offensively. This balance is key to their recent success.He’s instilled a sense of discipline,which was evident in how they handled Inter’s defensive setup for most of the match.
Interviewer: Given this victory, what do you think are Leverkusen’s chances of advancing further in the Champions League this season?
Dr. Rossi: If they continue to play with the same determination and tactical intelligence, they have a great chance of advancing deep into the tournament. Their blend of young talent and solid experience can unsettle many top teams.However, consistency will be crucial—as we all know, one off day can lead to elimination in knockout stages.
Interviewer: Lastly, Dr.Rossi,what should fans watch for in Leverkusen’s next matches?
Dr. Rossi: Fans should keep an eye on their attacking patterns and how they adapt their strategy against different opponents. Watch for how players like Mukiele and other key offensive assets integrate into Alonso’s game plan. I think they will keep evolving, and that’s going to be engaging to see.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Rossi,for your insights! It will certainly be exciting to follow Bayer Leverkusen’s journey in the Champions League this season.
Dr. rossi: Thank you! It was a pleasure discussing this with you, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the tournament unfolds.
Interviewer: Absolutely! And to our readers, make sure to catch the upcoming matches as the Champions League action continues. Stay tuned to Time.news for more updates and analysis!
