In Portugal, Inter Milan took the lead in the quarterfinal clash of the Champions League by beating Benfica 2-0 this Tuesday. For the first leg, Nicolo Barella and Romelu Lukaku scored the winning goals at Estádio da Luz, in Lisbon.
First time
The match began with a lot of dispute for possession and spaces, showing the balance of the duel. However, who had the first goal opportunities was Benfica.
At 15 minutes, Rafa Silva was left with the ball in the area after hitting and rebounding, but finished on top of goalkeeper Onana, who made the defense and removed the danger. At 18, João Mário tried a first shot, but the ball went outside the crossbar.
Inter withstood the pressure from the home team and reacted with a shot from distance by defender Alessandro Bastoni, in the 24th minute, which ended up going close to the corner, but went wide. At the end of the first half, Nicolo Barella launched a counterattack, trying to launch Edin Dzeko in the area, but the Bosnian striker was unable to dominate.
Interval in Light. Inter very well so far 💪#BenficaInter 0⃣-0⃣#ForzaInter ⚫️🔵 #UCL pic.twitter.com/Ha3edLjTcZ
— Inter (@Inter_br) April 11, 2023
Second time
On the way back from the break, in the sixth minute, Bastoni drove the ball into the attacking field and crossed for Barella. The Italian midfielder appeared free in the area and headed in the goalkeeper’s corner to open the duel’s scoreboard.
After taking the lead on the scoreboard, Inter retreated and tried to threaten Benfica on the counterattacks. Coach Simone Inzaghi changed the attacking duo, taking Dzeko and Lautaro Martínez to replace Joaquim Correa and Romelu Lukaku in the second stage.
On the other side, Benfica’s coach, Roger Schmidt, put the Brazilian David Neres on the field to try to react. However, the momentum of the Portuguese team had no effect. In the 35th minute, winger Dumfries shot down the right, tried to cross and the ball hit João Mário’s arm. The penalty was scored after consultation with VAR and Lukaku converted the kick.
Instant impact! Lukaku ⚽️#UCL pic.twitter.com/dz55bw6mZ0
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 11, 2023
back game
The result forces Benfica to look for a victory in the return game by at least two goals ahead to take the decision to extra time or qualify for the semifinals of the Champions League. The teams face each other again on Wednesday of next week, at 4 pm (Brasília time), this time at the San Siro stadium, in Milan, Italy.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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