The only goal of the match came in the 20th minute, and it was a stroke of misfortune for Leipzig. A free-kick from Federico Dimarco was delivered into the box, and despite Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba's best efforts to clear it, the ball ricocheted off him and found the back of the net, gifting Inter the lead.
While the game lacked the intensity of a typical European clash, Inter remained in control. They had another chance to double their lead in the second half, but Lautaro MartÃnez’s effort was cleared off the line by a scrambling Leipzig defender. Leipzig did have a couple of opportunities, with their best chance coming from Nusa, whose shot was well saved by Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer. Despite this, Leipzig struggled to break down the Italian champions, managing just 0.15 expected goals (xG) over the course of the game compared to Inter’s 1.08.
Inter’s defense, which has now kept five consecutive clean sheets in the competition, was resolute, ensuring that Leipzig’s attack never truly threatened. The win solidifies Inter's position at the top of their group and takes them a step closer to securing an automatic place in the knockout stages.
For Leipzig, this defeat leaves them in a precarious position, with just one point from their opening four games. They now find themselves needing to win all of their remaining three matches to have any hope of advancing to the play-offs, a daunting task given their current form and injury troubles.
Looking ahead, Inter will travel to Germany to face Bayer Leverkusen in their next Champions League outing, while Leipzig will have to regroup quickly for a crucial home fixture against Aston Villa, where only a victory will keep their hopes of progression alive.
Inter’s solid defensive record and steady attacking play have them looking like one of the more well-rounded teams in Europe this season, while Leipzig will need to find a quick remedy to their recent struggles if they are to avoid early elimination.
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