Inter Milan successfully humiliated Benfica with a score of 2-0 at the Da Luz Stadium in the first leg of the 2022-2023 Champions League quarter-finals, on Wednesday (11/4/2023). Inter’s winning goal was created by Nicolo Barella in the 51st minute and Romelu Lukaku in the 82nd minute.
Thanks to that win, it’s clear Inter can smile. The reason is they have good enough capital to face Benfica at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in the second leg later.
Inter initially seemed to struggle to get their best game out in the first half against Benfica. Because the home team can press them and defend well.
Because of the strength of Benfica’s defense, Inter closed the first half without recording a shot on goal. The last time Inter failed to have a shot on target was back in 2022 when they played Liverpool.
However, Inter coach, Simone Inzaghi gave directions in the locker room. As a result, Inter managed to take the lead in the 51st minute thanks to a goal from Nicolo Barella.
Not satisfied winning one goal, Inter continued to attack. The second goal only arrived in the 82nd minute, which this time it was Romelu Lukaku’s turn to get his name on the scoreboard after receiving a penalty kick.
After that, the score did not change. Inter also closed the game with a 2-0 win over the home team.
This victory made it seem as if Inter Milan had set one foot in the semifinals of the Champions League considering that the second leg of the quarterfinals will be played at their home ground next week. Simone Inzaghi also expressed his satisfaction with the result of this match.
“I am very satisfied with the match played by the players, we enjoyed tonight but we know we have taken the first step towards the semifinals,” said Inzaghi as quoted by Tutto Mercato, Wednesday (12/4/2023).
Even so, Inzaghi did not want his team to fall asleep with this result. Because, there is still a second leg that needs to be played, and it is possible for Benfica to create a surprise.
“We will have a counter match against a demanding team that never loses,” added the 47-year-old coach.
Inzaghi said that Inter Milan won this victory deserve. Now, they will turn their attention to the next match in the Italian League and also the second leg of the 2022-2023 Champions League quarter-finals at the San Siro, Thursday 20 April 2023.
“Good players, we deserved this win. Now there will be important games in the league and in the Champions League we know the outcome is not certain.”
