First goal for Yann Sommer Leverkusen beat Inter in the 90th minute

Bayer Leverkusen are the more active team against Inter Milan and are rewarded with the decisive goal late on. Yann Sommer concedes the first goal of the current Champions League season.

The German champions also caused a sensation in the Champions League and can hope for a direct place in the last 16 of the top flight. One week after the cup coup at FC Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen also made an international statement and defeated Inter Milan 1:0 (0:0). With 13 points, the Rhinelanders are now firmly established at the top of the 36-team field.

In front of 30,210 spectators in the BayArena, Nordi Mukiele scored the winner for the hosts in the 90th minute. This was Bayer's first defeat to the Italians and Yann Sommer's first goal against them in the current competition.

Head coach Xabi Alonso had included Patrik Schick, who had recently been sidelined with calf problems, in the squad due to personnel concerns in attack, but did not nominate him for the starting eleven. Leverkusen did not have a real center forward in their starting line-up.

Bayer again without a real center forward

The coach once again opted for Nathan Tella and Florian Wirtz as so-called floating strikers, as well as the very attacking winger Jeremie Frimpong. Left-back Piero Hincapie was also positioned higher in the opposition half than usual when in possession.

Tella, who scored the winning goal in last week's 1-0 cup win at FC Bayern Munich, had the chance to open the scoring in the third minute after a lightning start, but only hit the crossbar.

The hosts were challenged in attack against the defensive specialists from Milan and coach Alonso wanted to see bold attacks. Simone Inzaghi's side had kept a clean sheet in all five of their previous matches in the top flight, winning four of them.

Inter keeper Sommer well occupied

The back three in front of the former and busy Gladbach goalkeeper Yann Sommer stood up well, but not always. In addition to Sommer, three other former Bundesliga players - Yann Bisseck, Hakan Calhanoglu and Marcus Thuram - were in the team of the Italian champions, who hardly created any dangerous scenes in their own attack. Thuram in particular, who was substituted early, remained pale and was only rarely able to assert himself.

Leverkusen, who were well set up and in control of the game, repeatedly created chances, often through long-range shots from Alejandro Grimaldo or Granit Xhaka. The transfer of Frimpong, who was well protected at the back by Nordi Mukiele, was good for Bayer's play, although the right-winger was not able to use his speed as often. And in the final phase, Mukiele was also on hand in offense and scored the winner.

Leverkusen can now secure the points they need to qualify directly for the round of 16 in their two games at Atlético Madrid and against Sparta Prague in January.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Completed

1:0

(0:0)

Internazionale

• Nordi Mukiele - 1:0 (90.)

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35.
Yann Sommer with a flying tackle after Wirtz's finish
19.
Xhaka tests Sommer
3.
Yann Sommer beaten, then the crossbar saves
90.+5.
End of 2nd half
90.+4.
Substitution in Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Robert Andrich
Midfielder
90.+4.
Substitution out Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Florian Wirtz
Striker
90.+4.
Substitution in Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Aleix García
Midfielder
90.+4.
Substitution out Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Álex Grimaldo
Midfielder
90.
Goal for Bayer 04 Leverkusen, 1:0 through Nordi Mukiele (Martin Terrier)

Nordi Mukiele
Midfielder

Assist: Martin Terrier
Striker
85.
Substitution in Internazionale

Marko Arnautovic
Striker
85.
Substitution out Internazionale

Mehdi Taremi
Striker
83.
Substitution in Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Martin Terrier
Striker
83.
Substitution out Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Nathan Tella
Striker
66.
Substitution in Internazionale

Nicolò Barella
Midfielder
66.
Substitution out Internazionale

Davide Frattesi
Midfielder
66.
Substitution in Internazionale

Lautaro Martínez
Striker
66.
Substitution out Internazionale

Marcus Thuram
Striker
66.
Substitution in Internazionale

Kristjan Asllani
Midfielder
66.
Substitution out Internazionale

Hakan Çalhanoglu
Midfielder
56.
Substitution in Internazionale

Federico Dimarco
Defender
56.
Substitution out Internazionale

Carlos Augusto
Midfielder
46.
Kick-off 2nd half
45.+2.
End of 1st half
27.
Yellow card Internazionale
Carlos Augusto
25.
Yellow card Internazionale
Hakan Çalhanoglu
Yellow card Internazionale
Nicolò Barella
1.
Start of the match