Last-Minute Mukiele and the Art of Silencing Inter

There are moments as a Bayer 04 fan you never quite expect, no matter how often they’ve happened before: a goal in the 90th minute that doesn’t just win a game but also stuns a defensive juggernaut like Inter Milan. One minute, you’re standing in the BayArena, hands half in your pockets, resigned to accepting a "solid" 0-0. The next, the stadium erupts. Nordi Mukiele, freshly subbed in, finishes off one of those magical moments every fan lives for—a ball that finds him by a mix of fortune and persistence, and a finish as clinical as Yann Bisseck’s post-match wit. Just like that, the Italian champions were toppled, in Leverkusen of all places—a city that doesn’t exactly expect these kinds of fairy tales.

The evening had all the hallmarks of a typical Bayer Champions League performance: a technically superior side controlling the game, creating chances, and somehow failing to break through. It was frustrating, to say the least. Frimpong hit the side netting early, Tella rattled the crossbar, and Granit Xhaka seemed to have made it his mission to test Yann Sommer repeatedly, to no avail. It felt like the football gods were setting us up for another classic “yes, but” night. Yes, we play beautiful football, but the goals just don’t come.

But this Bayer team? It’s different. There was no sign of despair, no folding against Inter’s defensive wall. Xabi Alonso’s plan was clear: patience. This match showcased the structure and composure that define this team. Inter’s defensive discipline was admirable, but Leverkusen was simply better. Every touch had purpose, every pass was calculated, and you could sense that the team believed the breakthrough would come.

Enter Mukiele. There’s something cinematic about how a player who’s had a rough start to life in Leverkusen ends up scoring the decisive goal. That moment encapsulated everything that makes Bayer 04 this season: cool heads, clever ball movement, and the determination to strike at just the right time. It wasn’t a fluke—it was the culmination of hard work and trust, the kind Alonso has shown even during rough patches. Mukiele, who has battled injuries and inconsistency, stepped up when it mattered most. That’s not just talent—that’s mentality.

This victory didn’t just put Bayer 04 temporarily in second place in the group standings; it sent a message. Beating both Milan giants in one season? That’s no small feat. This wasn’t just a win against Inter—it was a win against the tired old narrative that Leverkusen always falters in the big moments. This team is different, and you can feel it every time they step onto the pitch.

While others start crunching numbers and calculating qualification scenarios, let’s take a moment to revel in this. These are the nights we dream of as fans, the kind that make trudging to the BayArena in the cold, week after week, all worth it. Somewhere in the chaos of a last-minute goal, the euphoria of a packed stadium, and the pure joy after the final whistle lies the essence of being a Bayer fan. It might be crazy, but it’s our kind of crazy—and it’s absolutely glorious.