Bayer Leverkusen vs Inter Milan

One of the standout fixtures of UEFA Champions League Matchday 6 pits Bayer Leverkusen and Inter Milan against each other at the BayArena.

Following a torrid start to their Bundesliga title defense, Bayer Leverkusen’s form curve has taken an upward trajectory, with a 2-1 home win against newcomers St. Pauli at the weekend extending their winning run in all competitions to five games. Buoyed by this purple patch, ‘Die Werkself’ will resume their continental duties, looking to strengthen their quest to secure automatic knockout qualification on the back of a 5-0 romping of RB Salzburg in the previous round. That’s one of Leverkusen’s three wins in five Champions League games this season (D1, L1), contributing to their impressive sixth place in the 36-team table. Adding to Leverkusen’s confidence, they’ve won seven of their last eight home matches in major UEFA competitions (D1), including a 1-0 triumph against Inter’s arch-rivals AC Milan in round two.

In the meantime, Inter Milan confirmed their continental credentials with a narrow 1-0 home victory against Leverkusen’s domestic opposition RB Leipzig last time out, posting a fourth consecutive Champions League win ‘to nil’ following a 0-0 draw at Manchester City on day one. As a result, ‘I Nerazzurri’ could become the first Italian club to win five successive Champions League games without conceding since Juventus in 2012/13. Achieving that feat would see Inter become the first side in Champions League history to keep a clean sheet in the first six matches of a specific campaign. Manager Simone Inzaghi has every reason for optimism, considering his men humbled Serie A newcomers Parma 3-1 last weekend, stretching their competitive unbeaten streak to an eye-catching 13 fixtures (W11, D2).