Unfortunately, long delays are expected travelling to and from a game by car due to various roadworks. The A1 (Dortmund in the direction of Cologne) has the right lane closed between the Leverkusen interchange and the Leverkusen West interchange with traffic restricted to one lane. The stretch between the Köttersbach bridge and the Leverkusen interchange has the left lane closed with two lanes open to traffic.
Today's game is the fourth competitive match between the two clubs and the first meeting in the UEFA Champions League since the 2002/03 season. Both teams are currently in a good position in the table: The Black and Reds are sixth on ten points and Inter Milan are second on 13 points behind leaders Liverpool. In their previous games, the Nerazzurri have clocked up the following results: 0-0 at Manchester City, 4-0 against Red Star Belgrade and 1-0 wins against Young Boys, Arsenal and RB Leipzig. Inter are the only team yet to concede and if they keep a clean sheet today then they would be the first team to achieve that feat in the first six matches in a Champions League campaign.
While the Italians, with former Leverkusen player Hakan Calhanoglu, have the best defence in the use of the season so far, the Werkself have top marks in other areas: The Leverkusen pass completion rate is 90% back of the second highest of all the 36 teams. That is only surpassed by Manchester City (92.6%). The Black and Reds have also shone in counter pressing: Leverkusen have found their own players with 84% of passes when under pressure from the opponents. Again Manchester City are the top side (87.7%) in that respect.
Inter Milan succeeded in securing victory in their last match in Serie A with a comfortable 3-1 win against newly promoted Parma at home on Friday night. The reigning Italian champions are set up for the Champions League clash with the Werkself. Inter are unbeaten in 13 games with the last defeat coming two and a half months ago. The Italian side are currently third in the table three points behind leaders Atalanta having played one game less. More on tonight's opponents can be found in our lowdown on the next opponents.
Following the press conference on Monday afternoon with Xabi Alonso and Edmond Tapsoba (HERE is the report), the Inter coach Simone Inzaghi and midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu spoke about today's game. Head coach Inzaghi said: "We definitely have to be at our best in the game against Leverkusen. We are playing one of the strongest teams in Europe who have only lost three games over the last 16 months. Therefore, we have prepared for a game against a very strong team."
Calhanoglu, who played for Bayer 04 from 2014 to 2017, said: "It's my first time in Leverkusen in seven years. I'm looking forward to seeing a few familiar faces. We are facing a great team but we have to focus on ourselves. We want to build on our previous good performances."
Anyone wanting to discover the latest information ahead of the game can take a look at the new Werkself Live. The matchday magazine, that includes key facts and stats on the match, is available at the BayArena. Alternatively it is available free online. HERE is the e-paper.
UEFA has appointed Slavko Vincić as the referee for today's game. It is the third match for the 45-year-old Slovenian involving the Werkself (one win, one draw). The assistant referees are fellow countrymen Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic with Alen Borosak in action as the VAR.
The match will be broadcast live on DAZN. As ever, supporters unable to be at the match can follow the game on Werkself Radio. The audio broadcast starts 30 minutes before kick-off with commentary provided by Cedric Pick. In addition, the live text update service will keep fans up-to-date. Both Werkself Radio and the live text update service are available at bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app.
The Nerazzurri are in town: Today, Tuesday 10 December, Bayer 04 entertain the reigning champions of Italy Inter Milan on Matchday 6 in the UEFA Champions League (kick-off: 21.00 CET/live on DAZN and on Werkself Radio). Read on for the latest information on the home game at the BayArena.
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The Bayer 04 U19 team lost 1-0 to Inter Milan on the sixth and final matchday in the league phase of the UEFA Youth League 2024/25. The only goal of the game was scored just after the hour mark. While the side from North Italy have finished top in the league phase with a maximum points return, the Leverkusen team appeared to have just missed out on the knockout stages of the European competition. There is faint hope looking to several games to follow where results are needed to go the way of the Werkself.
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Italian teams are known for being strong in defence. The fact that Inter Milan, the next opponents for the Werkself in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, 10 December (kick-off: 20.45 CET), have not conceded a single goal in their last five matches is impressive. Will the visitors' keeper Yann Sommer be able to keep a clean sheet at the BayArena against Florian Wirtz and Co.? The lowdown on our next opponents.
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The Werkself are away to Borussia Dortmund on Bundesliga Matchday 16. The game at the Signal Iduna Park on Friday, 10 January 2025, kicks off at 20.30 CET. Read on for information on ticket sales.
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Two champions go head-to-head: The Werkself entertain Inter Milan at the BayArena on Matchday 6 in the UEFA Champions League. The game against the team from Lombardy is on Tuesday, 10 December (kick-off: 21.00 CET/live on DAZN and on Werkself Radio). Head coach Xabi Alonso and defender Edmond Tapsoba revealed their keen anticipation ahead of the top match against the Italian champions at the pre-match press conference. In addition, the duo talked about the strengths of the visitors and the difference from playing teams in the Bundesliga.
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