Back
7.08.2020Europa League

Our next opponents: Star-studded squad assembled

The first European quarter-final since 2008, no second leg, no second chance: It looks like nail biting will be guaranteed for Bayer 04 on Monday night, 10 August (kick-off: 21.00 CET) – and, on top of that, one of the top favourites for the title awaits. Why are Inter Milan suddenly so strong again? The lowdown on our next opponents.
crop_imago0047614907h.jpg

Position

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.

Personnel

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.

Problems

"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.

Potential

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.

Prediction

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.

Related News

Media Visit international
Bayer 04 - 17.10.2025

Latin American Media Visit the BayArena

A group of journalists representing Latin American and Spanish-language media outlets visited the BayArena on Thursday for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Bayer 04 and interviews with key personnel that have driven the team’s brand to new heights internationally over the last few years.

Show more
Landwehr-Cousins
eSports - 17.10.2025

#B04eSports: Six points to start new VBL Club Championship season

The start of the new season of the VBL Club Championship by WOW produced two wins and one defeat for Leverkusen, including a victory against SC Paderborn 07, semi-finalists last season and double winners in 2023/24. The Leverkusen gamers were beaten by 1. FSV Mainz 05, runners-up in the South-East Division last year.

Show more
Katharina Piljic jubelt
Women - 16.10.2025

Piljic scores from centre circle: Women rescue point in replayed derby

Eleven days after the floodlight failure, the Bayer 04 Women rescued a point in the rescheduled Bundesliga derby at 1. FC Köln thanks to a late dream goal from Katharina Piljic. The Werkself drew 2-2 at the Franz Kremer Stadion on Thursday evening. Vanessa Fudalla (76') from the penalty spot and Piljic with a shot from the centre circle (88') gave the Black and Reds a late reprieve. Leverkusen, who are now been unbeaten against their Rhineland neighbours for almost four years, remain fourth in the table with the draw following five consecutive wins.

Show more
DFB-Pokal-Achtelfinale der Frauen
Women - 16.10.2025

DFB Pokal: Women away to Hamburger SV in Round of 16

The date for the Bayer 04 Women's DFB Pokal Round of 16 tie has been set. As announced by the German Football Association (DFB) on Wednesday, the Leverkusen Women will play league rivals Hamburger SV on Sunday, 16 November at 15:00 CET.

Show more