Inter Milan put one foot into the Champions League semi-finals with a snug 2-0 win at Benfica on Tuesday, with Nicolo Barella and Romelu Lukaku netting in Lisbon.
The Italians, three-time winners, took a commanding quarter-final first leg lead on the Estadio da Luz, inflicting Benfica’s first defeat within the competitors.
After a good first half, Barella headed residence from Alessandro Bastoni’s cross and substitute Romelu Lukaku netted the second from the penalty spot late on.
Roger Schmidt’s Benfica, aiming to achieve the semi-finals for the primary time since 1990, weren’t in a position to put a glove on the guests, who managed the tempo of the sport.
Regardless of Inter’s poor type, they conjured a affected person, skilled show once they wanted it most.
Having scored two targets of their earlier 5 video games throughout all competitions, they managed the identical tally in Lisbon with medical ending.
“It has been one in every of our greatest video games this season,” Inter midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan instructed British broadcaster BT Sport.
“We have been dominating everywhere in the pitch. We have been doubling up and have been in every single place, serving to one another and we bought (rewarded) for it. We have finished an excellent job.
“Nevertheless it’s nonetheless not over, we nonetheless need to face them in every week and we all know it isn’t going to be simple.”
Neither facet was in a position to create clear possibilities in a good opening interval.
The closest Benfica got here was Andre Onana blocking a Rafa Silva drive after Federico Dimarco unintentionally headed the ball into his path within the field.
Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi hammered over from 30 yards on the different finish.
The Italians had the chance to hit the hosts on the break after half an hour, however Lautaro Martinez performed a poor move which was blocked, with 37-year-old goal man Edin Dzeko alone in house.
Alex Grimaldo smashed an effort vast from distance, with Benfica pissed off and unable to get striker Goncalo Ramos concerned.
With Inter urgent excessive up the pitch, the Eagles couldn’t hit their flowing finest, or something near it.
Spectacular Inter
Inter Milan broke the impasse early within the second half when Barella headed Bastoni’s looping cross again throughout aim and into the underside nook.
The aim topped an outstanding efficiency from the Italy worldwide, whereas Inter’s defence saved a sixth clear sheet in 9 Champions League matches this season.
Schmidt despatched on David Neres for midfielder Florentino looking for the equaliser, however Inter doubled their lead with eight minutes remaining.
Joao Mario, one in every of Benfica’s finest gamers this season, dealt with Denzel Dumfries’s cross, gifting his former facet a penalty.
Lukaku drilled it past the attain of Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos, answering some criticism of his current type.
Coach Simone Inzaghi had chosen Dzeko forward of Lukaku after the Belgian had missed gilt-edged possibilities in current weeks, however he didn’t miss in a high-pressure second.
Benfica may need pulled a aim again deep in stoppage time however Onana made a positive save to disclaim Ramos, who appeared poised to attain.
“I mentioned that we needed to come right here and play with out concern as a result of we may win — we did simply that,” Onana instructed UEFA.
“However we can not suppose that we’re already within the semi-final as a result of we aren’t. We nonetheless want one other nice recreation like in the present day’s subsequent week.”
The victory offers Inter a positive likelihood of organising an all-Italian semi-final in opposition to Serie A leaders Napoli or metropolis rivals AC Milan.
Inter, who beat one other Portuguese facet, Porto, within the final 16, host Benfica on Wednesday April 19 on the San Siro within the second leg.
Benfica defender Antonio Silva mentioned he believes his crew can go to Milan and rating three to provide a comeback.
“We deserved extra and we had the chance for it, the truthful consequence was a draw,” Silva instructed Portuguese broadcaster Eleven.
“That is the primary a part of the tie. We’re going to do every part we will in Milan and we now have to attain not less than three targets to win and undergo.”