Bayer Leverkusen vs Inter Review
Nordi Mukiele netted a last-minute goal to secure a 1-0 victory for Bayer Leverkusen, marking the first time this season that Inter Milan has conceded a goal in the UEFA Champions League. This win propelled Leverkusen to second place in the standings. The home team has shown a strong resurgence lately, bouncing back from a rough October to achieve five straight wins in all competitions, and they approached this match with confidence, aiming for a sixth consecutive victory.
Nathan Tella stepped in as an emergency striker due to the injuries of Victor Boniface and Patrik Schick, and just two minutes into the game, he nearly scored, hitting the crossbar with a volley after receiving a high cross from Jeremie Frimpong. Despite being the superior team in the first half, Leverkusen struggled to create clear scoring opportunities, with goalkeeper Yann Sommer only needing to make a few routine saves.
The away team struggled to pose any threat in attack, as Simone Inzaghi appeared content to rely on a defense that had proven reliable throughout this season’s UCL. The halftime break did not alter the game’s pace, which continued in a similar manner, with Frimpong shooting high and wide after a great setup from Florian Wirtz. Inter made five substitutions, bringing in plenty of attacking options from the bench, including Lautaro Martínez and Nicolò Barella with thirty minutes remaining. However, their introduction had little impact on a match that seemed destined to finish without any goals.
As time was running out, it seemed that both teams were going to end the match with a draw, until a late twist shattered the Italian defense. Álex Grimaldo made a desperate effort to maintain an offensive play, and although his pass was initially intercepted, the ball landed perfectly for Mukiele, who scored decisively from close range, securing a significant win for Xabi Alonso’s team.
