Inter won at Da Luz and put a foot and a half into the semifinals

Inter are on the right track in their Champions League against Benfica after winning 0-2 at Da Luz. Nicolò Barella and Romelu Lukaku, from penalties, they scored the goals that put the Milanese, in crisis in Serie A, with one foot in the semifinals.

The Lisboners, unbeaten at home this season in all competitions before losing to Porto in their league on Friday, were unable to build their game and lost again in front of their fans. It was the first defeat and the first game without scoring in the Champions League this season for the team from Roger Schmidt.

The first half was balanced, with alternatives, lots of pace but few shots on goal. Inter surprised from the start by taking the ball from Benfica with high pressure and long possession.

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Gradually, Rafa Silva began to appear in his work as a recruiter and, above all, Alexander Grimaldo with his characteristics elevated on the left and Benfica took control, he starred in the expected script, although he only had one clear chance after a quarter of an hour with a ball that fell in Rafael Silva after a terrible clearance by Federico Dimarco, but Andre Onanawell placed, deflected a point-blank shot from the Portuguese midfielder.

Inter knew how to overcome this delicate phase, regained their pulse and prevented Benfica from developing their usual game, a mix of ball control and vertical play, in an impressive exercise in containment.

Barella hits his head first!

The game lacked punch and, early in the second half, the goal came in the most unexpected way. The central Alessandro Bastoni p.I use a cross at the far post from the left and Nicolo Barellawho usually uses his head to show his excellent vision of the game, scored a superb chopped header (51′).

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Benfica managed to equalize shortly after with a double shot from the mouth of a goal Rafa Silva and Fredrik Aursnes when 1-1 was already sung in the stands (55′), but the goal gave a lot of confidence to Inter, who not only continued to be solid in defense.

Simone Inzaghi, who set up the match perfectly, He changed his two tips during the game (Lautaro Martínez and Edin Dzeko by Romelu Lukaku and Joaquín Correa) and his team threatened several opponents, while Grimaldo was the only rival who caused him any problems.

On the other hand, the offensive tactical change that Roger Schmidt tried by withdrawing the midfielder Florentine by David Neres it didn’t improve a rain-ravaged Benfica.

A VAR penalty

Odysseas Vlachodimos was providential with Denzel Dumfries’ double shot, but in the next game a cross from the Dutch winger hit the arm of Joao Mario and, after VAR was applied, the Englishman. Michel Oliver awarded a penalty. Lukaku converted it and, as he did in the round of 16 with the only goal against Porto, he might have sealed the tie. Onana, at the discount, prevented the closing Goncalo Ramos give Benfica hope.

BENFICA

02

INTER

Benfica: Vlachodimos; Gilberto, Antonio Silva, Morato, Grimaldo; Florentino (David Neres, 64′), Chiquinho; João Mário, Rafa Silva, Aursnes; Goncalo Ramos
The
Inter: Onana; Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni (De Vrij, 91′); Dumfries (D’Ambrosio, 87′), Barella, Brozovic, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco (Gosens, 63′); Lautaro Martínez (Lukaku, 63′), Dzeko (Joaquín Correa, 63′)
The
​Goal: 0-1 Barella (51′), 0-2 Lukaku (pen.) (82′)

Referee: Michael Oliver (England). Yellow cards for Antonio Silva (22′), Brozovic (50′), Dzeko (83′)

Spectators: 62,594 at Da Luz

see the match sheet