“It means something to every player”: BVB host Inter Milan | OneFootball

The scenarioMathematically speaking, everything is still possible for BVB ahead of the final matchday of the league phase: with 11 points after three wins, two draws and two defeats, Borussia currently rank 16th in the table – which would see them reach the playoff round of the Champions League. Depending on the outcome of the match against Inter Milan (14th place, 12 points), however, direct qualification for the round of 16 (1st to 8th place) and elimination (25th to 36th place) are also still possible (see facts). Niko Kovac did not calculate the scenarios before the match against Inter, however: “I’m not concerned with that – we can only influence our own game. The important thing is that we play the 90 minutes tomorrow the way we have to play: with intensity, aggression, dynamism and energy,” explains the BVB coach. “We want to win the game. We’ll see what the final result is.”

The Borussia players are counting on the Black & Yellow fans, who Gregor Kobel believes “have a huge influence. When you’re out on the pitch and you feel the crowd behind you, it means something to every player. It’s very special here,” said the BVB goalkeeper. Kovac agrees: “This stadium has immense power and energy, which we want to harness. ”

Personnel mattersMarcel Sabitzer (calf problems) and Niklas Süle (back problems) did not take part in the final training session and trained individually on Tuesday – neither of them will be fit to play against Milan. Daniel Svensson will also be unavailable due to his red card in the match against Tottenham, and Salih Özcan is not registered for the Champions League. “We are decimated in terms of the number of players we have. But we still have a very, very good squad and will have enough good players in the squad tomorrow,” said Kovac.

OpponentsMilan are currently top of Serie A, five points ahead of city rivals AC Milan. In the Champions League, the Nerazzurri, who have reached the final twice in the last three years, are one point ahead of Dortmund in 14th place – which means: “With a win, they are of course more likely to finish in the top eight than we are,” explains Kovac, issuing a warning not to underestimate the Italians.

“They’ve been together in this constellation for a few years now – everyone knows what the other is doing. They’ve always been very dominant on the pitch in the past,” says Kovac about the club from Milan, who were coached by Simone Inzaghi until the end of last season. Cristian Chivu, who played for Inter himself from 2007 to 2014, took over as head coach for the new season. “They have retained their dominance – and have also implemented the transition game very well. We are currently seeing a very dynamic and modern Inter side.”

One goalscorer and two familiar faces  When BVB last faced Inter Milan at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK, things were not looking good for the Black & Yellows at half-time: in November 2019, the score was 2-0 to the Italians at the break on Matchday 4 of the Champions League group stage. However, BVB launched a furious comeback in the second half . Achraf Hakimi scored the first goal, Julian Brandt equalised with a shot from a tight angle. Hakimi then scored the winner shortly afterwards – BVB went on to qualify for the round of 16 of Europe's elite club competition. One of the Borussia players celebrating with Julian Brandt at the time was Manuel Akanji. The centre-back, who played for BVB from 2018 to 2022, will return to SIGNAL IDUNA PARK on Tuesday wearing the Milan shirt. The same goes for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who played for the Black & Yellows for a total of three years (2013 to 2016).Nina Bargel-Neuhaus