CL gets the Milan derby
Inter destroyed Schmidt’s dreams in a wild duel
04/19/2023, 11:05 p.m
The Champions League season is over for Roger Schmidt and Benfica Lisbon. In a wild duel, the Portuguese score three goals, but that’s not enough to win. Instead, Inter Milan moves into the semi-finals – and there it comes to an explosive encounter.
Roger Schmidt’s and Benfica’s dreams were shattered in San Siro. The league leaders from Portugal missed the semifinals of the Champions League despite a 3: 3 (1: 1) at Inter Milan. Like 20 years ago, the “Nerazzurri” will face a city duel with AC Milan in the round of the last four.
Nicolo Barella (14th), who had already scored in the 2-0 win for Inter in the first leg, world champion Lautaro Martinez (66th) and Joaquin Correa (78th) provided the Milan goals in front of an atmospheric backdrop. Fredrik Aursnes’ equalizer (38′) gave Benfica hope again. The goals of Antonio Silva (86th) and Petar Musa (90th + 5) came too late.
Milan and Simone Inzaghi’s Inter team meet in the semi-final first leg on 10 May. The second leg rises a week later. In 2003, AC Milan narrowly prevailed after two draws and went on to win the competition. For the Schmidt team, the chance is gone for the time being. After a long, outstanding season, the Portuguese, under the leadership of the former Bundesliga coach, were noticeably out of step recently. In the league, too, the lead over FC Porto has shrunk to four points.
The start didn’t go well in Milan. Inter set the tone without later substitute international Robin Gosens and star striker Romelu Lukaku in the starting XI. After the equalizer, the guests were right in the game and should have received a penalty after a foul on Aursnes (55th).