Key Highlights :
1. Inter Milan and Benfica will meet in the quarterfinals of the Champions League after recent setbacks.
2. Inter hasn’t won in more than a month while Benfica is coming off a tough loss to its biggest rival.
3. The first leg will be Tuesday in Lisbon at the Stadium of Light, where on Friday Benfica lost 2-1 to rival Porto in the Portuguese league to dent its almost perfect season.
4. On the same day, Inter was held by Salernitana to a 1-1 draw in the Italian league to extend its winless run to six matches in a difficult stretch in all competitions.
5. The Italian side is hoping to turn its fortunes turned around in the Champions League so it can reach the last four for the first time since it won the title in 2010.
6. Benfica is hoping the loss against Porto was a one-off and it can stay on track to make it past the quarterfinals for the first time since losing the final to Inter rival AC Milan in 1990.
7. The loss to Porto came as a surprise as Benfica had been thriving domestically and in Europe. It was only its second defeat following a setback at Braga 17 matches ago.
8. Benfica has been one of the surprises of the Champions League this season after starting in the third qualifying round.
9. It went on an unbeaten run to win a difficult group that included powerhouses Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus, then easily eliminated Belgian champion Club Brugge in the round of 16.
10. Only Napoli have scored more than Benfica’s 23 goals, while no quarterfinalist has registered fewer than the 11 netted by Inter, which got past Benfica rival Porto in the last 16.
11. Benfica coach Roger Schmidt will need to make changes to the defense as right back Alexander Bah was injured against Porto and Nicolás Otamendi is suspended.
12. Gilberto is set to replace Bah while Brazilian central defender Morato is likely to come in for Otamendi.
13. Benfica and Inter have met three times in European competitions, with Benfica winning two and losing one.
Lisbon: Inter Milan and Benfica will meet in the quarterfinals of the Champions League having to rebound from recent setbacks. Inter hasn’t won in more than a month while Benfica is coming off a tough loss to its biggest rival. The first leg will be Tuesday in Lisbon at the Stadium of Light, where on […]
Inter Milan is coming off a tough 1-0 loss to Napoli, while Benfica lost to its biggest rival, Sporting Lisbon, 3-1. These teams have met in the past in the Champions League, with Benfica winning both times. Inter Milan is in poor form and Benfica is coming off a tough loss, so this should be an exciting matchup. The first leg will be Tuesday in Lisbon at the Stadium of Light, where Inter Milan is favored, but this is a matchup that is sure to be exciting.
