Inter Milan have set up the biggest UEFA Champions League fixture in years after they fought Benfica to a draw on Wednesday to face their city rivals AC Milan.
AC Milan narrowly escaped from Napoli’s clutches on Tuesday to seal their first semi-final ticket since their 2007 Champions League title. Their city rivals, seeing that history was in the making, responded adequately the following night.
The Nerazzurri took a 2 – 0 away lead back to San Siro from their visit to Portugal last week. At home, they looked even more comfortable but Benfica, who are one of Europe’s most in form teams in front of goal this season, fought to secure an impressive draw in front of the harsh Giuseppe Meazza crowd.
The scoreline was 3 – 3 at the end of 90 minutes plus regulation time, giving Inter a 5 – 3 aggregate lead. This got them a ticket to their first semi-final since their treble win in the 2009/2010 season.
It will be the first time that they are facing off against their city rivals in the Champions League since the 2004/05 quarter finals. Milan won both legs with an aggregate scoreline of 5 – 0, with three goals coming when Inter were the home side. The Rossoneri went all the way to the final and were beaten by Liverpool on penalties after a 3 – 3 full time score in one of the most iconic finals in Champions League history.
Milan have the upper hand in this fixture. Of the two fixtures they have played over four legs, Milan have won two. The other two were draws. Things could be a bit different come May, however, thanks to Inter’s better overall form.
That form was evident from the start as Inter made their visitors feel unwelcome once the first whistle blast went off. In the 14th minute, midfielder Nicolo Barella worked with striker Lautaro Martinez to set himself up at the edge of the box. He curled a brilliant finish past the Benfica goalkeeper to make it two goals in two against the Portuguese side.
Benfica scores in the 38th minute to level the scoreline going into halftime, giving them a fighting chance in the second half. But Lautaro Martinez scored in the 65th minute to regain their three-goal aggregate lead before substitute Joaquin Correa scored in the 78th minute.
Benfica man Antonio Silva pulled one back for the hosts who completed a comeback in the 95th minute to end the game 3 – 3. The Portuguese side left Italy with their head held high despite the score not being enough to save their Champions League campaign.
Inter will now turn their attention to the Coppa Italia and the Serie A for the next few weeks before they clash with their city rivals for a shot at the Champions League final.
