Leverkusen Eye Key Striker’s Return for Pivotal Inter Clash

Bayer Leverkusen might have pivotal forward Patrik Schick return for Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Inter Milan, manager Xabi Alonso stated on Monday as his squad prepare to become the first to net against the Italians in the tournament this year.

The Czech, who was in a scoring streak before missing Saturday’s 2-1 victory over St Pauli due to injury, is hurrying to regain fitness for Tuesday. Leverkusen are already missing sidelined top scorer Victor Boniface.

“Patrik is progressing well and tomorrow morning we have another session,” Alonso mentioned at a press briefing. “We must evaluate the scenario moment by moment. But his condition is improving, and we are not counting him out.

“We aim to approach each match to triumph, even tomorrow against a formidable side. That remains our central objective. Our ambition is to secure a place in the first eight and perform at our peak in every contest.”

The reigning German titleholders are currently in sixth position in the Champions League rankings on 10 points and are poised to progress directly to the last 16, though they will require all the offensive strength they possess against the Italians.

Inter are positioned second on 13 points, having netted seven goals and conceded zero across five Champions League fixtures to date. They have achieved four victories and drawn one in their five games.

“We are competing against one of the strongest squads in Europe. But for us, it’s an opportunity to evaluate ourselves, and we’re playing on home turf,” Alonso remarked. “High expectations from our end, and hopefully, we’ll be prepared.

“It is a victorious squad. (Inter’s clean sheet) reflects that it’s a team with consistent performance over recent years in the Champions League,” Alonso commented.

“They are extremely robust, a highly cohesive group, and they have a very defined strategy. They compete with great composure