Inter Milan ended a month-long winless run as they ran out 2-0 winners of their Champions League quarter-final first leg at Benfica.
Nicolo Barella and Romelu Lukaku scored second-half objectives in Lisbon’s Stadium of Gentle to maneuver the Italian crew into a great place to succeed in the semi-finals of the European competitors for the primary time in additional than a decade.
Aiming to win 5 consecutive Champions League video games for the primary time since 1990, Benfica managed the tempo of the sport but it surely was Inter that struck with a header by Barella off a protracted cross by Alessandro Bastoni into the realm within the 51st minute.
Substitute Lukaku added to Inter’s lead by changing an 82nd-minute penalty kick that was decided by video overview for a handball by former Inter participant Joao Mario inside the realm.
In the meantime, it was Benfica’s first Champions League loss in 13 matches this season after they began the competitors within the third qualifying spherical and have become one of many surprises of the competitors to date by overcoming the challenges of Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.
Inter had been winless in six matches in all competitions, with their final victory in opposition to Lecce within the Italian league in March. Benfica had been coming off a loss to rivals Porto within the Portuguese league however had gained 13 of their final 15 matches in all competitions since then.
The winner of the sequence between Inter and Benfica will face AC Milan or Napoli within the semi-finals.
What’s subsequent?
The second leg takes place in Milan on April 19; kick-off 8pm.
Benfica journey to Chaves within the league on Saturday; kick-off 6pm.
In the meantime, Inter Milan host Monza, additionally on Saturday; kick-off 7.45pm.
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