Bayer Leverkusen could be boosted by the return of key striker Patrik Schick back for Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Inter Milan, coach Xabi Alonso said on Monday as his team prepares to become the first to score against the Italians in the competition this season.
Inter Milan is yet to concede a goal in the competition, and Alonso will hope that Schik’s return will help his team change that.
Leverkusen is already without injured top striker Victor Boniface.
“Patrik is getting closer, and tomorrow morning we are training again,” Alonso told a press conference. “We have to assess the situation day by day. But he is feeling better, and we are not ruling him out.
“We want to play each game to win, even tomorrow against a top side. That is our main focus. Our goal is to qualify for the first eight and to do our best in each competition.”
The German champion is in sixth place in the UCL table on 10 points and is on track to qualify automatically for the last 16 but will need to fire in all departments if it wants a positive result against the Italian side.
Inter is in second place on 13, having scored seven goals and having conceded none in five Champions League matches so far. It has won four and drawn one of its five matches.
“We are facing one of the best teams in Europe. But for us, we want to see where we are, and we play at home,” Alonso said. “Great expectations from our side, and hopefully, we will be ready.
“It is a winning team. (Inter’s zero conceded goals) says that it is a team that has this consistency for the last years in the Champions League,” Alonso said.
“They are very strong, a very solid squad and with a very clear idea of what they want. They play with a lot of maturity.”
(inputs from Reuters)
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com