Inter Milan vs Bayer Leverkusen
Stadium: Merkur Spiel-Arena
Betting Odds: Inter Milan 2.05 ; Draw 3.50 ; Bayer Leverkusen 3.60
Probability of Win: Inter Milan 47%; Draw 27% ; Bayer Leverkusen 26%
Key Stats
- Bayer Leverkusen will be playing Inter Milan at Esprit Arena in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
Inter Milan
Predicted XI: Handanovic; Godin, De Vrij, Bastoni; D’Ambrosio, Barella, Brozovic, Gagliardini, Young; Lautaro Martinez, Lukaku
Doubtful: None
Unavailable: None
Inter have been impressive of late, winning all of their last four games – three Serie A wins.
They also finished off the league with 82 points, just one point shy of the table leaders Juventus
The Nerazzurri weathered the storm against Getafe in the round of 16, winning the game 2-0.
Alexis Sanchez looks to have resurrected his career in the Nerazzurri colours, which convinced Antonio Conte & co to sign the Chilean on a permanent deal from Manchester United.
Romelu Lukaku remains Inter’s focal point in the attack as he had scored more than 20 goals in his debut season in Italy.
Christian Eriksen is coming into the fold lately as he scored the winner against Getafe last week.
Stefano Sensi has apparently recovered from his injury, but it remains to be seen whether Conte would start him in the quarter-finals.
Moving forward in Europe is very important and represents an opportunity to gain experience. I’m calm when I see the guys with this aggression, with this desire and determination. The squad is continuing to improve and we are becoming a tough team. I see everyone participating in the project, happy with what we do.
Antonio Conte, Inter Milan Manager
Bayer Leverkusen
Predicted XI: Hradecky; L Bender, S Bender, Tapsoba, Sinkgraven; Demirbay, Palacios; Wirtz, Havertz, Diaby; Volland
Doubtful: Bellarabi (unspecified)
Unavailable: Amiri (quarantine), Aránguiz (suspended)
Bayer had a rampant season in Bundesliga this term, eventually missing out a place in the top four.
However, Leverkusen remain on course in the Europa league – not losing any of the games thus far.
Leverkusen haven’t won in all of the previous meetings against Inter, but they look to change the fortunes this time around with their dynamic attacking quartet of Diaby, Havertz, Volland and Leon Bailey.
Especially, the duo of Kai Havertz and Moussa Diaby will be a threat to Inter as Leverkusen would like to get the best out of the duo.
Havertz, who has been strongly linked with Chelsea over a summer move, is expected to give his best in what could be his final season at Inter.
Our playing philosophy is that we want to play attacking football, offensive football, attractive football, to score a lot of goals. That’s our vision. In general, Italian teams defend really well. On the other hand, Inter are a different team: they try to press high and build up from the back. They’re not playing long balls. It gives us a certain opportunity.
Peter Bosz, Bayer Leverkusen Manager
