Bayer Leverkusen vs Inter Milan – UEFA Champions League – Preview, Team News and Updates

The final Champions League Gameweek of 2024 is here, and it’s bringing plenty of excitement—none more so than the showdown between German champions Bayer Leverkusen and Italian champions Inter Milan at the BayArena tomorrow. With two of Europe’s most brilliant tactical masterminds facing off, this promises to be a high-stakes spectacle that will have fans glued to their seats from start to finish.

With five matches played, both Inter Milan and Bayer Leverkusen are right in the mix for a coveted direct spot in the Champions League Round of 16. Remember, only the top eight teams from the “league phase” will secure automatic progression, while the next 16 face a two-legged playoff to fight for their place. As it stands, both Die Werkself and the Nerazzurri are sitting in those precious top-eight positions—Inter impressively holding second place, while Leverkusen cling to sixth. But with three games still to go, the standings are anything but set in stone. That makes tomorrow’s showdown a high-stakes affair, with both sides laser-focused on one goal: securing a win that not only strengthens their own position but delivers a heavy blow to their rival’s top-eight ambitions. 

Bayer Leverkusen vs Inter Milan – Match Preview 

 Xabi Alonso has worked wonders at Leverkusen. After steering Die Werkself to their first-ever Bundesliga crown and a second DFB-Pokal triumph, Alonso has set his sights on another milestone—guiding Leverkusen to the Champions League knockout rounds for the first time since 2016. With five games played, Bayer are well on track, sitting sixth in the league-phase standings with 10 points. Their sole blemish? A bruising 4-0 defeat at Anfield to table-toppers Liverpool. But Leverkusen showed resilience in spades, bouncing back spectacularly by dismantling RB Salzburg 5-0 at the BayArena. 

This isn’t an isolated example of their dominance on home soil. In fact, Leverkusen have made the BayArena a fortress, winning seven of their last eight UEFA home games since the start of last season, with an incredible +21 goal differential to boot. Momentum is firmly on their side. Die Werkself are on an 11-match unbeaten streak across all competitions and are playing some of the best football in Europe. Their 2-1 win over St. Pauli marked their fifth victory in a row, a streak that also includes a gritty 1-0 win over Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena—a result that knocked the Bavarians out of the DFB-Pokal. With form, confidence, and an intimidating home record, it’s hard to bet against Alonso’s men in their upcoming clash. But standing in their way is Inter Milan—a side that thrives in the Champions League cauldron. The Nerazzurri are the ultimate litmus test for Leverkusen’s ambitions. 

Bayer Leverkusen might be in red-hot form, but history tells a different story when it comes to facing Inter Milan. The Nerazzurri have a flawless record in this matchup, winning all three of their previous encounters against Die Werkself. However, those battles are a distant memory—the last clash was nearly 22 years ago, and much has changed in the footballing world since then. That said, Inter remain a powerhouse in this year’s Champions League, and their performances have been nothing short of exceptional. After five matches, Simone Inzaghi’s men are sitting comfortably in second place with 13 points, one of just three teams still unbeaten in the tournament.  

The secret to their success? A rock-solid defense. Remarkably, the Nerazzurri haven’t conceded a single goal so far, despite going up against heavyweights like Arsenal, Manchester City, and RB Leipzig. So, what can we expect when these two sides square off tonight? Leverkusen will undoubtedly lean on their fiery home support to push them forward, testing Inter’s mettle with relentless attacks. Xabi Alonso’s side has been a revelation this season, and their ability to pile on the pressure will likely make this a thrilling encounter. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Inter, it’s that their rearguard rarely falters under fire. Expect them to absorb the onslaught, hold their ground, and show why they’re one of Europe’s toughest nuts to crack. 

Bayer Leverkusen vs Inter Milan – Team News and Updates 

Inter Milan head into their Champions League showdown with a relatively short injury list. Defensive duo Benjamin Pavard and Francesco Acerbi headline the concerns, though Acerbi has resumed partial training and might even make the bench. Serie A’s recently crowned 'Coach of the Year,' Simone Inzaghi, also received a boost with Carlos Augusto and Davide Frattesi returning to action over the weekend, leaving Pavard and reserve goalkeeper Raffaele Di Gennaro as the only confirmed absentees. This depth allows Inzaghi the luxury of possible squad rotation.  

As always, Inter can rely on midfield maestro Hakan Çalhanoğlu to pull the strings. The Turkish international knows the BayArena well, having played for Bayer Leverkusen from 2014 to 2017. During his time there, he netted 28 goals in 115 appearances. In between the posts, Yann Sommer has been a wall for Inter in the Champions League, keeping clean sheets in an impressive 75% of his matches since joining from Borussia Monchengladbach. With nine shutouts in 12 appearances, he holds the best clean sheet rate among goalkeepers with at least 10 games in the competition. 

On the other hand, Bayer Leverkusen face their own challenges. Xabi Alonso has adapted impressively to losing both of his top strikers. Florian Wirtz has been deployed as a false nine, a move that’s paid dividends in recent weeks. Wirtz has opened the scoring in three Champions League games this season, tying with Milan’s Christian Pulisic for the most by any player. With Patrik Schick (calf) and Victor Boniface (thigh) sidelined, Alonso may stick with the Wirtz experiment. Bayer will also miss Jonas Hofmann and Amine Adli, but they can count on a dynamic midfield led by captain Granit Xhaka. Out wide, Alex Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong will provide crucial support, ensuring Leverkusen remain a serious attacking threat. 

Bayer Leverkusen vs Inter Milan – Kick-Off Time and Date 

The game is scheduled to take place on 11th December 2024 (Wednesday) at BayArena in Leverkusen. The match will kick off at 1:30 AM (Indian Standard Time).  

Also Read: Bayer Leverkusen vs Inter Milan Match Prediction, Fantasy Football Tips and Possible Starting Lineups