Nicolo Barella and Romelu Lukaku’s second half strikes gave Inter Milan a 2-0 cushion at Benfica of their Champions League quarterfinal, first leg on Tuesday, which put them heading in the right direction for a primary last-four look since they gained the trophy in 2010.
Barella headed house firmly on the again submit within the 51st minute, rising unchallenged to get on the tip of an outstanding cross from center-back Alessandro Bastoni, who was storming up the left facet and delivered a pin-point ball.
Substitute Lukaku then transformed an 82nd-minute penalty after VAR referred a handball by Benfica skipper Joao Mario for evaluate by English referee Michael Oliver, who gave the spot kick after trying on the video monitor.
The two objectives hand Inter a major benefit for the return leg at San Siro subsequent Wednesday. As a outcome, they are going to be closely fancied to progress to an all-Italian semifinal towards both neighbor AC Milan or Napoli, who meet this Wednesday.
Barella’s purpose uncovered Benfica’s spirited protection, however the penalty was unlucky as a Denzel Dumfries cross hit Joao Mario on his head and his upright arm contained in the field.
But Inter deserved their victory, conjuring up the higher probabilities with Benfica’s Odysseas Vlachodimos making vital second-half saves to disclaim Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Dumfries and avert an excellent heavier defeat.
“One of the best matches of this season. We deserved to win; we played very well. We have taken the first step, and we hope to do everything to advance,” Mkhitaryan advised reporters.
Inter, who beat Benfica’s home rivals Porto within the earlier spherical with a stoic defensive efficiency away within the second leg, had been surprisingly adventurous at the beginning of their return to Portugal and dominated the early skirmishes.
But Benfica’s harmful playmaker Rafa Silva conjured up the primary effort heading in the right direction, firing straight at Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana after selecting up a botched clearance by Federico Dimarco within the sixteenth minute.
Soon after, Joao Mario’s tempting cross flashed throughout the face of the purpose earlier than Inter had their first effort – a robust long-range shot by Francesco Acerbi that swerved dangerously near the Benfica purpose.
The hosts may need equalized 5 minutes after Barella scored, however Dumfries obtained in the best way throughout a goalmouth melee as Benfica’s strikers seemed to comb house a cross from Joao Mario that brought on chaos.
Lukaku’s exact penalty put Inter firmly within the driving seat earlier than Onana made an important cease on the ultimate whistle to disclaim Goncalo Ramos a purpose that may have given Benfica hope.
Benfica midfielder Chiquinho stated: “We knew it was going to be a difficult game against a quality team. But nothing is lost. We are going to Milan to turn the result around.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com
