A heavyweight clash between the reigning champions of Germany and Italy is set to capture global attention tonight as Bayer Leverkusen host Inter Milan in the Champions League, Soccernet.ng reports.
Inter, one of only three teams still unbeaten in this season’s group phase, lead Leverkusen by three points in the standings with both sides on track for automatic qualification to the last 16.
The two teams have a short but storied history. Inter have won all three of their previous meetings with Leverkusen, two of which occurred during the 2002/03 Champions League campaign.
The Nerazzurri defeated the Germans home and away in the second group stage that season before advancing to the semi-finals.
Their most recent clash came in 2020, during the Europa League quarter-finals, with Inter once again emerging victorious in Düsseldorf.
Having been crowned European champions for the third time in 2010, Inter came agonisingly close to lifting their fourth trophy last season, falling to Manchester City in the final.
As Scudetto holders, the Italian giants look primed to challenge for continental glory once more.
The 2002/03 Champions League group-stage match in Leverkusen holds a special place in the career of Obafemi Martins, one of the most iconic Nigerian players to grace Italian football.
At just 18 years, four months, and 19 days old, Martins became the youngest player to score for Inter Milan in the Champions League as the Italians defeated Bayer Leverkusen in Germany.
The historic goal came in the 36th minute when Sérgio Conceição intercepted the ball and set up Martins, who coolly finished past goalkeeper Hans-Jörg Butt at the near post.
The young striker celebrated with his trademark somersaults, a joyous spectacle that quickly became his signature.
Martins’ record stood for over five years until Mario Balotelli, aged 18 years, two months, and 23 days, surpassed it with his goal against Anorthosis Famagusta in 2008.
In that memorable match against Leverkusen, Martins also won a penalty in the 44th minute, though Domenico Morfeo failed to convert. Inter sealed a 2-0 victory in the second half with Emre Belözoğlu’s strike, confirming their place in the quarter-finals.
Fast forward to tonight, and another Nigerian prospect could write his own chapter in Bayer Leverkusen’s history.
Seventeen-year-old Francis-Ikechukwu Onyeka is poised to make an impact if selected against Inter Milan.
The German youth international made his debut last month in Leverkusen’s emphatic 5-0 win over Salzburg.
With star forwards Victor Boniface and Patrik Schick sidelined by injury, manager Xabi Alonso may turn to Onyeka to lead the line.
Should he find the net, Onyeka would become Bayer Leverkusen’s youngest-ever goalscorer in the Champions League, etching his name into the club’s history books.
Tonight’s contest promises to be a compelling blend of nostalgia and the promise of a new generation. Will history repeat itself, or will it be rewritten? All eyes will be on Leverkusen.
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