Benfica takes on Inter Milan in the quarterfinals of the Champions League on Tuesday. The Eagles demolished Club Brugge in the first knockout round to reach the last eight for the second time in three seasons, while Inter defeated another Portuguese club, Porto, to reach the last eight for the first time in 12 years. Benfica had an exceptional Champions League campaign this season, finishing atop a group that included heavyweights PSG and Juventus, with the latter quitting the competition in the group stage. Roger Schmidt’s men are unbeaten in the tournament this season, an achievement they share with Manchester City and Bayern Munich, and their continental form suggests they should fancy their chances in the Lisbon match.
Only Napoli (25) have scored more goals in this year’s competition than Benfica (23), a fact that would concern the Italian team, which has struggled for clean sheets in Serie A recently. The goals have been distributed evenly, but Joao Mario has scored six times for the Portuguese team, while Rafa Silva and the outstanding Goncalo Ramos have scored five and three times, respectively. However, in preparation for Inter, the Eagles were defeated 2-1 by title rivals Porto on Friday, cutting their lead at the top of the rankings to seven points. It was their first league loss since New Year’s Eve, and Schmidt will be hoping it was a one-time occurrence.
Inter’s New Year has been a mixed bag for Simone Inzaghi’s club, as indicated by their dismal run of results since the end of February. After a commendable 1-0 win against Porto in Europe, Bologna defeated them, starting a run of seven games in all competitions with only one victory. Goals have been a problem for Inzaghi’s side, with the Nerazzurri failing to score more than once in three of those seven games and failing to find the back of the net in four of them.
The 1-1 draw with Salernitana on Good Friday was almost comical, with Romelu Lukaku somehow hitting the crossbar from the goalmouth, Nicolo Barella hitting the post from distance, and Guillermo Ochoa making a slew of saves to keep the home side in the game before Antonio Candreva’s lucky equalizer. Regardless, Inzaghi can take heart in the quality of opportunities generated on the day, even if they can’t afford any more off days in front of the goal against one of the finest sides in the Champions League this season.
Goncalo Guedes is out with a knee injury for Benfica on Tuesday, while Julian Draxler is out with an ankle injury for Inter’s visit, and Nicolas Otamendi is suspended. Mihailo Ristic has been out with a hamstring injury since February and is unlikely to play against the Nerazzurri. Alex Grimaldo, who has scored twice and assisted three times in the Champions League this season, might have another outstanding performance on the left side of Benfica’s defense. Right-back Alexander Bah was substituted after 26 minutes in O Classico and will be replaced by Gilberto if he gets injured.
Despite conceding from Candreva’s cross against Salernitana, Andre Onana is set to preserve his place in goal. Milan Skriniar and Hakan Calhanoglu are unlikely to play, with the midfielder injuring himself while on Turkey duties during the last international break. Federico Dimarco, who scored against Salerno, might return as a left wing-back.
Benfica’s possible starting lineup:
Vlachodimos; Gilberto, Silva, Verissimo, Grimaldo; Luis, Chiquinho; Mario, Silva, Aursnes; Ramos
Inter Milan’s possible starting lineup:
Onana; D’Ambrosio, De Vrij, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Brozovic, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Martinez, Dzeko
Despite Inzaghi’s experience in cup tournaments, Benfica is simply too powerful, and their menacing attack could overwhelm an Inter side that has conceded in six of their previous eight games in all competitions.
Match Prediction: Benfica 3-1 Inter Milan
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