PLAYER RATINGS I Benfica 0-2 Inter

Inter took a significant step towards the Champions League semifinals as Simone Inzaghiโ€™s side won 2-0 away from home against Benfica in the first leg of the quarter finals.

It was the first loss for the Portuguese side in the competition and Interโ€™s first win since March 5th, interrupting a six-game winless streak across all competitions.

The Nerazzurri broke the deadlock in 51st minute when Nicolรฒ Barellaโ€™s header found the bottom far corner with the midfielder converting a perfectly bended cross from Alessandro Bastoni, with the defender picking up his third assist in the competition.

As reported by Opta, this was Barellaโ€™s first headed goal since he joined Inter, with the Italian setting a new record in his career in terms of goals in a single season (7).

Later, Romelu Lukaku doubled the lead with ten minutes left to play, converting a penalty that was given for Joao Marioโ€™s handball on Denzel Dumfriesโ€™ cross.

The second leg is scheduled for next Wednesday at the San Siro and Inter can count on three results as theyโ€™ll get through either by winning, drawing or losing by one goal.

Player ratings:

Benfica (4-2-3-1): Vlachodimos (6), Gilberto (6), Antonio (5,5), Morato (5,5), Grimaldo (5,5); Florentino (6), Chiquinho (6); Aursnes (6,5), Joao Mario (6), Rafa Silva (6); Goncalo Ramos (5).

Substitutes: Neres (5),ย 

Inter (3-5-2): Onana (7), Darmian (6), Acerbi (6,5), Bastoni (7); Dumfries (6,5), Barella (7,5), Brozovic (6), Mkhitaryan (6,5), Dimarco (6); Lautaro (5,5), Dzeko (5,5).

Substitutes: Correa (6), Lukaku (6,5), Gosens (6), Dโ€™Ambrosio (-), de Vrij (-).

ย 

Andrea Agostinelli I GIFN

More European Football News