Benfica-Inter is a match from the fifth day of the Champions League group stage and is played Wednesday at 9 p.m.: tv, predictions.
Inter were the first of the four Italian sides involved in the Champions League to qualify for the round of 16 with two rounds to spare. It was the usual Lautaro Martinez who allowed the Nerazzurri to detach a pass for the knockout stage by deciding the challenge three weeks ago with Salzburg (0-1). The Argentine, glacial from the penalty spot, allowed Simone Inzaghi’s team to cut one of the first goals of the season. Now all that remains to be seen is whether Inter will go through as first or second.
The duel – for now at a distance – is with Real Sociedad, the only opponent that in Group D has managed to hold its own against the vice-champions of Europe, forced to share first place precisely with the Basques, at the moment ahead because of the better goal difference. Before the direct clash scheduled to take place at the San Siro on the final day, Inter will have to try to stay at least level with Imanol’s men, who start favored in the challenge with Salzburg in San Sebastian. Needless, in fact, to reiterate the importance of finishing ahead of everyone, a position that guarantees being among the top seeds at the end of December, when the pairings for the round of 16 will be drawn in Nyon. So it will be a real match at the Da Luz against Benfica, the great disappointment of this grouping.
Inter, first place is at stake
The Lusitanians were supposed to challenge Inter for first place after they had gone all the way to the quarterfinals in the last two seasons and instead they flopped this time.
(Joao Mario , IlVeggente.it (Ansa)
In the standings they are incredibly still pinned in last place: in four days they have not scored a single point. And if the trend continues in the last two rounds they will have to give up the Europa League “parachute” as well, since Salzburg has three more points. Roger Schimdt’s team is making up for it in the league, where they just reeled Sporting back to the top thanks to their success in the derby two weeks ago. Last Saturday, on the other hand, Benfica got the better of Famalicao 2-0, passing the Taça de Portugal round. In contrast, Inter Milan came from a 1-1 draw at the Allianz Stadium: their summit clash with Juventus ended in a deadlock. Lautaro answered Vlahovic but the Nerazzurri’s dominance of possession in the second half did not translate into goals. A point that in any case allows Inzaghi to keep the top of the standings.
The Prediction
Inzaghi might decide to make a minimum of turnover given that qualification is already acquired but he will not snub the Da Luz challenge in any way. In the first leg ended 1-0 despite numerous chances had by the Nerazzurri, last April instead in the match valid for the quarterfinals, Inter won 2-0 in the Lisbon stadium. This time we might see a more prolific contest, considering that the games are now done. At least one goal on each side in a match in which the Nerazzurri remain slight favorites.
Benfica-Inter’s probable lineups
BENFICA (4-2-3-1): Trubin; Aursnes, Otamendi, António Silva, Morato; João Neves, Florentino; Di María, Kökçü, Rafa Silva; Tengstedt.
INTER (3-5-2): Sommer; Darmian, de Vrij, Acerbi; Dumfries, Frattesi, Çalhanoğlu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Lautaro Martínez.
