Benfica meets Inter on UEFA league
Watch Benfica vs Inter preview as they meet on the quarter finals first leg in the UEFA Champions league.
The Eagles annihilated Club Brugge in the first knockout round to make it to this stage in consecutive seasons, while Inter eliminated another Portuguese side Porto to reach the last eight after 12 years.
Benfica vs Inter Preview
Roger Schmidt’s troops are unbeaten in this year’s competition a feat they share with Manchester City and Bayern Munich and their continental form means they should fancy themselves in the Lisbon fixture.
Only Napoli (25) have scored more than Benfica’s 23 in this year’s competition, a statistic that would worry the Italian side, who have struggled for clean sheets in Serie A of late.
The goals have been spread around, but Joao Mario has hit the back of the net six times for the Portuguese outfit, with Rafa Silva and the talented Goncalo Ramos finding the back of the net five and three times respectively.
However, the Eagles’ preparation for Inter saw them beaten 2-1 by their title rivals Porto on Friday, which saw their lead at the top of the standings cut to seven points.
It was their first league loss since New Year’s Eve, and Schmidt will hope that defeat was a one-off result.
Team news and Injury
A knee issue means Goncalo Guedes is sidelined for Benfica on Tuesday, while Julian Draxler’s ankle surgery rules out the Paris Saint-Germain loanee for the visit of Inter, and Nicolas Otamendi is suspended.
Mihailo Ristic has been missing since February because of a hamstring issue, and the left-back is likely to miss out against the Nerazzurri.
Alex Grimaldo, who has scored twice and assisted three in this season’s Champions League, could have another top showing on the left side of Benfica’s defence.
Right-back Alexander Bah was withdrawn after 26 minutes in O Classico and will be replaced in the lineup by Gilberto if he is sidelined.
Andre Onana is expected to keep his place between the sticks despite conceding from Candreva’s cross against Salernitana.
Milan Skriniar and Hakan Calhanoglu may not partake in the game, with the midfielder getting injured on Turkey duty during the recent international hiatus.
Federico Dimarco could return at left wing-back, replacing Robin Gosens, who scored in Salerno.
Benfica vs inter head to head stat
Inter Milan have an excellent record against Benfica and have won three out of the four matches played between the two teams, with the other match ending in a draw.
The only meeting between Benfica and Inter Milan in the European Cup took place in 1965, with Benfica losing to Helenio Herrera’s legendary Nerazzurri side by a 1-0 scoreline.
Benfica defeated Juventus in both their group games in the UEFA Champions League this season – they had won only two of their 11 games against Italian opponents in the competition prior to this run.
Despite being outplayed in terms of expected goals in both legs, Simone Inzaghi’s Inter Milan kept two clean sheets against FC Porto in the Round of 16 and won both matches by a 1-0 scoreline.
Benfica are looking to record five victories on the trot in the European Cup for the first time since their 1989-90 campaign.
Benfica vs inter prediction
Inter Milan can pack a punch on their day and have been plagued by inconsistency this season. The Nerazzurri have flattered to deceive in the Serie A and will look to make amends in Europe this season.
Benfica have been exceptional on the European front this season and will be intent on pulling off another upset in this fixture. Both teams are on an even footing at the moment and could play out a draw this week.
