There was an element of relief in the end. "It was a difficult game," said Romelu Lukaku in analysing the Round of 16 game against Getafe last Wednesday. The Spanish club pushed Inter Milan to the limits in Gelsenkirchen: Getafe had early chances to take the lead and later missed a penalty that would have levelled the scores. The progress of the 'Nerazzurri’ was touch and go in the first game after the Europa League restart. However, the superior individual quality of the Serie A runners-up won out in the end: An irresistible individual performance by star striker Lukaku put Inter in front in the first half, and after Getafe missed the penalty, substitute Christian Eriksen sealed the victory at 2-0.
"The Europa League is an important competition for us," said coach Antonio Conte. He knows: His team can go far this year. "The lads are consistently improving and we are now very difficult to beat." With the introduction of Conte and several top European players last summer, Inter have taken a step towards being one of the absolute top clubs in Europe again. They were just one point behind serial champions Juventus in Serie A and the Champions League campaign ended in the group of death with Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund. In the Europa League, Inter first convincingly beat Ludogorets (2-0; 2-1) – and now have deservedly beaten Getafe.
Hats off to anybody who can afford to bring on a Christian Eriksen on 82 minutes. The Danish playmaker, in the starting eleven in the Champions League final last season, is currently the super sub at Inter – in spite of the indisputable class that the midfielder showed against Getafe: Just a few seconds on the pitch and he set himself up to score the goal to make it 2-0. Conte praised the Dane after the Getafe game: "He's fitting in with us more and more." But the squad is currently so full of stars that it is not a given that Eriksen can expect a regular berth in the side.
The club invested heavily last summer: In addition to coach Conte, the former manager at Juve, Chelsea and Italy, there were a host of high quality players like central striker Lukaku, experienced defender Diego Godin and – initially on loan – striker Alexis Sanchez who Inter have now signed on a permanent deal as the club announced on Thursday. In the winter, big names like Ashley Young, Victor Moses and Eriksen followed. Together with quality players already in the squad, such as the much fancied striker Lautaro Martinez, midfield enforcer Marcelo Brozovic and central defender Stefan de Vrij, the transfer activity has produced a team that does not have to fear any other side on the continent.
"We often got it wrong when we played out from the back," said a critical Conte after the Getafe game. In the opening stages of the game, the Spaniards actually managed to put Inter under pressure in transition and thereby often caused the Nerazzurri to lose possession. Otherwise, the team have scarcely made any mistakes in recent weeks and the only evident problem is probably more of a media invention: The reserve role of winter signing Eriksen is a constant subject for discussion in Italy’s newspapers and television broadcasts. But something could soon change in that respect.
Inter Milan appear to be back at the top of European football for the first time since the historic treble season of 2009/2010 under José Mourinho. Even in Serie A, the former regular champions (five scudetti in succession from 2006 to 2010) slipped down to mid-table but now the big renaissance appears to be taking hold. With this high quality – albeit predominately aging – squad, Inter have a great chance in the next few years to win another title – possibly starting this summer.
No question: Inter present a tough challenge for the Werkself. Of the eight remaining teams, there is perhaps no other that has such a large number of big names in their squad. This game could be a real treat and not just for Bayer 04 supporters as it definitely has the potential to be one of the highlight matches of the Europa League tournament – and the winner will have more than realistic chance of progressing to the final in Cologne in the last four against either Shakhtar Donetsk or Basel. There could hardly be more at stake in a quarter-final and it is also clear: The Werkself will need a top performance to go through to the next round.
Just twelve days after the head-to-head in the league, the Bayer 04 Women again entertain Turbine Potsdam at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. In contrast to the 3-0 win on Bundesliga Matchday 9, this time it is not about picking up three points. On Friday, 22 November (kick-off: 18.00 CET) it is all about going through to the quarter-finals in the DFB Pokal. Werkself TV will broadcast the match live and exclusively via a free stream.
Show moreAfter a good start to the season, FC Heidenheim have recently struggled in the league. Even though results have been disappointing: There is never a lack of commitment, passion and desire in the team coached by Frank Schmidt. FCH could prove to be tricky opponents for the Werkself at the BayArena on Saturday, 23 November (kick-off: 15.30 CET). The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show moreThe brand-new Bayer 04 Fanzone in the South Stand at the BayArena has opened for all Werkself fans. The official launch of the 700 square metre plus state-of-the-art interactive shopping and world of experience on Wednesday afternoon followed an exclusive event the night before. The symbolic starting shot was made by special honoured guests before several hundred fans were able to gain their first impressions of the numerous products and interactive facilities – and the response has been very positive.
Show moreTwelve Werkself players have been selected for their national teams in the final international break of the year, with the Leverkusen's international players competing in the final group matches in the UEFA Nations League, in qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup or the Africa Cup of Nations. We round up all the results involving Bayer 04 players here.
Show moreFive players in the Bayer 04 Women squad have been selected for the Germany U23s for two international fixtures. That was announced by the German Football Association (DFB) on Tuesday afternoon.
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