Inter took a significant step towards the Champions League semifinals as Simone Inzaghi’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 Inter’s first win since March 5th, interrupting a six-game winless streak across all competitions.
The Nerazzurri broke the deadlock in 51st minute when Nicolò Barella’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 Barella’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 Mario’s handball on Denzel Dumfries’ cross.
The second leg is scheduled for next Wednesday at the San Siro and Inter can count on three results as they’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),Â
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), D’Ambrosio (-), de Vrij (-).
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Andrea Agostinelli I GIFN
