Clinical, efficient Inter bullies Benfica to close on semifinals

LISBON — Inter Milan put one foot in the Champions League semifinals with a comfortable 2-0 win at Benfica on Tuesday, with Nicolo Barella and Romelu Lukaku netting in Lisbon.

The Italian side, a three-time winner of the Champions League, took a commanding quarterfinal, first-leg lead at Estadio da Luz, inflicting a first defeat in this season's competition on Benfica.

After an even first half, Barella headed home from an Alessandro Bastoni cross and substitute Lukaku netted the second from the penalty spot late on.

Roger Schmidt's Benfica, aiming to reach the semifinals for the first time since 1990, was not able to put a glove on the visitor, who controlled the pace of the game.

Despite Inter's poor form, it conjured a patient, professional display when it needed it most.

Having scored two goals in its previous five games across all competitions, it managed the same tally in Lisbon with clinical finishing.

"It's been one of our best games this season," Inter midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan told British broadcaster BT Sport.

"We were dominating all over the pitch. We were doubling up and were everywhere, helping each other and we got (rewarded) for it. We've done a great job.

"But it's still not over, we still have to face them in a week and we know it's not going to be easy."

Neither side was able to create clear-cut chances in a tight opening period.

Benfica came closest to scoring when Andre Onana blocked a Rafa Silva drive after Federico Dimarco accidentally headed the ball into his path.

Inter defender Francesco Acerbi hammered over from long range at the other end.

The Italians had the opportunity to hit the host on the break after half an hour, but a slack Lautaro Martinez pass intended for an unmarked Edin Dzeko was blocked.

Alex Grimaldo smashed an effort wide from distance, with Benfica frustrated and unable to get striker Goncalo Ramos involved.

With Inter pressing high up the pitch, the Eagles could not hit their flowing best, or anything close to it.

Barella brilliance

Inter broke the deadlock early in the second half when Barella headed Bastoni's looping cross back across goal and into the bottom corner.

The goal crowned a superb performance from Italy international Barella, while Inter's defense recorded a sixth clean sheet in nine Champions League matches this season.

Schmidt sent on David Neres for midfielder Florentino in search of an equalizer, but Inter doubled its lead with eight minutes left.

Joao Mario, one of Benfica's best players this term, handled a Denzel Dumfries cross, gifting his former side a penalty. Lukaku drilled the spot-kick beyond the reach of Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos, answering some criticism of the forward's recent form.

Coach Simone Inzaghi had selected 37-year-old Dzeko ahead of Lukaku after the Belgian had missed gilt-edged chances in recent weeks, but he did not miss in a high-pressure moment.

Benfica almost pulled a goal back deep in stoppage time but Onana made a fine save to deny Ramos, who seemed poised to score.

"I said that we had to come here and play without fear because we could win — we did just that," Onana told the UEFA website.

"But we cannot think that we are already in the semifinal because we are not. We still need another great game like today's next week."

The victory gives Inter an excellent chance of setting up an all-Italian semifinal against Serie A leader Napoli or city rival AC Milan.

Inter, who beat another Portuguese side, Porto, in the last 16, hosts Benfica on April 19 at the San Siro in the second leg.

AFP