Italian papers laud MAGICAL Inter display during 2-0 win at Benfica
‘Hats off!’: Italian papers laud Simone Inzaghi’s ‘MASTERCLASS’ in Lisbon as Italians defeat previously unbeaten Benfica in Champions League quarter-final first leg… with 2-0 advantage putting them in ‘dreamland’
- Inter triumphed 2-0 over Benfica in the Champions League quarter-final first leg
- The 2010 winners went into the tie without a win in six games in all competitions
- Inzaghi had been reported to be at risk of losing his job at the end of the season
The Champions League semi-finals are already within touching distance for Simone Inzaghi and Inter Milan according to the front pages in Italy on Wednesday morning.
The Nerazzurri pulled off a surprising 2-0 victory at the Estadio da Luz against Benfica, who were previously unbeaten in this year’s edition of the competition.
La Gazzetta dello Sport wrote that Inter are ‘in dreamland’ and that the semi-finals are already within touching distance.
The headline in Il Corriere dello Sport labelled Inter’s performance as ‘splendid’ and hailed an ‘Inzaghissimo masterclass’, whilst Turin-based Tuttosport wrote ‘hats off to Inter’.
Inter went into the tie with Benfica off the back of a poor run of form domestically, having gone six games without a win in the weeks leading up to the European tie.
Nicolo Barella put Inter ahead after 51 minutes after rising highest in the area to head home
Romelu Lukaku converted an 82nd minute penalty to give Inter a two-goal advantage
Simone Inzaghi has been at risk of losing his job after a poor run of domestic results
This is the first time in 12 seasons that Inter have reached the last eight of the Champions League and have not featured in the semi-final of the competition since lifting the trophy in 2010.
Should they qualify for the final four, Inter will take part in an all-Italian semi-final and will face either Serie A league leaders Napoli or local rivals AC Milan.
La Gazzetta reports that Inzaghi said the victory over Benfica ‘was not a revenge’ after widespread rumours that he will be leaving his position at the end of the season.
Juventus have had a disappointing campaign in Italy after lifting the league title two years ago and slipped out of the Serie A top four over the weekend.
Corriere dello Sport also highlighted the contributions of Nicolo Barella and Romelu Lukaku after their goalscoring returns.
Lukaku was the victim of racist abuse from the stands at the Allianz Stadium during the 1-1 Coppa Italia draw between Inter and Juventus a week ago.
The on-loan Chelsea striker has struggled for goals since returning to San Siro, recording just seven goals in all competitions this season but has not yet missed from the spot for the Nerazzurri.
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