The music from the Champions League transforms Inter once again. The fragile and naive team of the championship becomes rocky and relentless in Europe, signing a coup at Benfica that allows the nerazzurri to put one foot in the semifinals. A success signed by Barella and Lukaku (from a penalty) which however comes from a high-level performance, the likes of which have not been seen for months by Simone Inzaghi’s men.
The defense holds up also thanks to Onana, Bastoni invents, Barella turns into a goalscorer and Lukaku still thinks about closing the evening, who may miss sensational chances but from the penalty spot he is glacial like few others (19 goals out of 19 penalties kicked for the Nerazzurri). And this time the military-style exultation does not lead to any reaction or admonitions from the Englishman Oliver. Benfica, unbeaten so far in the Champions League, collides with the solidity of an Inter finally capable of raising their voice when it counts. Those who expected the aggressive Portuguese had to deal with the Nerazzurri, who however didn’t limit themselves to just the defensive phase but for long stretches they led the game. There was no shortage of dangerous situations, because Joao Mario and his teammates remain a quality team, but Onana has always responded present. It was above all the recovery that made the difference. In fact, in the first half Inter had wasted a couple of potential chances, with Lautaro first missing the deflection on Dimarco’s cross and then missing the last touch to put Dzeko on goal.
The Nerazzurri alternate moments of high pressure with moments of greater difficulty, because Benfica is scary when they push. Thus Onana is needed to defuse the first chance of the hosts on a close shot by Rafa Silva after a mistake by Dimarco in the hallway. In the second half, the Nerazzurri picked up the pace, finding the right ball on the Bastoni-Barella tricolor axis to take the lead: cross with the defender’s rev counter, the midfielder’s header like a bomber, no stranger to heavy goals in the Champions League in this season (he had already scored at the Camp Nou against Barcelona). Benfica’s reaction was immediate and a bit of luck was also needed on a back and forth in the area, saved by Dumfries’ intervention on the line.
However, the Portuguese feel the blow of the disadvantage and skid, with Inzaghi playing the Lukaku and Correa cards. In the meantime, however, Mkhitaryan wasted an excellent chance for the 2-0, hitting Vlachodimos, as did Dumfries who, on another cross from Bastoni, first found Vlachodimos’ prompt rebound and then found Morato’s rebound on another cross. On the developments of the action, Joao Mario intercepts another cross from Dumfries with his arm: the Var calls back Oliver who concedes the penalty and Lukaku makes no mistake from the penalty spot. In the final Inter would also have the ball to immediately close the match, with Gosens who from close range does not find the deflection on a cross from Dumfries. Indeed, a super Onana is still needed in the last seconds to defuse the Portuguese’s best chance: Rafa Silva kicks alone with his left foot, but the Nerazzurri goalkeeper keeps the 2-0 with a great reflex. A heavy result and now Inter can continue to dream in the Champions League, with the return to San Siro in a week.
– THE CHRONICLE OF THE MATCH
Manchester City beat Bayern Munich 3-0 in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final, played in Manchester – THE CHRONICLE OF THE MATCH
ANSA Agency
The 3-0 with which Manchester City beat Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals was heavy (goals from Rodri in the pt, Bernardo Silva and Haaland in the second half). Not just because of its roundness, but because of the way it ripens. (HANDLE)
