Bayer Leverkusen wants to continue its winning streak in the Champions League – but has a big challenge in front of it with Inter Milan.
The reunion with friend Hakan Calhanoglu leaves Jonathan Tah cold. Before the groundbreaking Champions League clash against Inter Milan (live in the audio report and in the ticker from 9 p.m.), he had “not yet” had any contact with the Italians’ playmaker, said the defense chief Bayer Leverkusen – because the full focus is initially on the fight for the round of 16 in the premier class: “After the game we can be friends again.”
Tah and Calhanoglu together in Leverkusen
Tah and Calhanoglu played together at Hamburger SV from 2013 to 2014, and later became teammates at Leverkusen – on Tuesday (9 p.m.) they will face each other in the biggest European game when the Italian champions visit the Rhineland football-stage opposite. “It will be a tough game”says Tah, “Inter is simply very, very well staffed in all positions.” Inter have not yet lost a game in the premier class, have not conceded a goal and have also been undefeated in 14 competitive games.
Hakan Calhanoglu (l.) and Jonathan Tah in the 2016/17 season
But double winner Leverkusen, after five competitive game wins in a row, goes into the game with plenty of tailwind and the self-image of the championship season that they thought had already been lost. The lackluster 2-1 against FC St. Pauli on Saturday was “not spectacular” said coach Xabi Alonso, “but we were smarter.”
Leverkusen can draw level with Inter
Unlike at the start of the season, the Leverkusen team are again prevailing in the close games. The Werkself, who have been unbeaten since then, recovered well from the crushing 4-0 defeat at Liverpool FC at the beginning of November and knocked FC Bayern, among others, out of the cup the previous week.
With Inter the next maturity test awaits. “Everyone who comes to the BayArena knows: it’s not easy against us”Tah emphasized confidently. Three match days before the end of the new league phase, Leverkusen (10 points) could draw level with Milan.
Chic is again an option
There is still a question mark behind Patrik Schick’s commitment. However, the striker could be an option again after his absence last weekend. “We have to take it day by day. He feels better”said coach Xabi Alonso at the press conference on Monday. It will be decided on Tuesday whether Schick will come into the game from the start or only in the second half. The Czech was able to take part in the final training session on Monday.
Against St. Pauli, the committed but sometimes unlucky Nathan Tella started at the forefront. If Schick doesn’t get fit in time, Martin Terrier or the extremely strong Florian Wirtz could also play against Inter, said Alonso. Alonso will definitely still have to do without Victor Boniface, Amine Adli and Jonas Hofmann.
One thing is clear: with a win, the Werkself would have a good chance of making it into the top eight and thus reaching the round of 16 of the premier class for the first time since the 2016/2017 season.
