Inter – Benfica : Preview & Prediction
Coach Simone Inzaghi admits that Serie A leaders Inter Milan find it “difficult” to reach their best form in every game due to their tight schedule. The Nerazzurri bounced back from a shock defeat to Sassuolo by thrashing Salernitana 4-0 on Saturday night, but that was their fifth in seven games in 22 days, which is why the coach said a “huge expenditure of energy every three days” is making life difficult for his players.
Attention now turns to the UEFA Champions League (UCL), a competition in which the Italian giants finished runners-up last season. This time around, Inter drew their group stage opener in Spain against Real Sociedad (1-1), but will be confident of a win on matchday two as they have won five of their last six European games at the San Siro (E1), keeping a clean sheet in each victory.
The only exception was the 3-3 draw against Benfica in last year’s UCL quarterfinals. However, the Portuguese side have never beaten Inter in their five previous meetings (E2, P3) and ended up losing that tie 5-4 on aggregate. However, the Eagles are in good form and picked up their sixth win in seven games (P1) with a 1-0 victory over Porto at the weekend.
Their only defeat in that streak came in their first group stage match of this competition, losing at home to RB Salzburg (2-0). In any case, Benfica fans can rest easy at the San Siro as the team has not lost any of its last ten away UCL clashes (G6, E4), despite conceding the opening goal in four of them.
Players to watch: Inter striker Lautaro Martinez became the first substitute in Serie A history to score four goals in a match during the thrashing of Salernitana, taking his personal tally for the season to ten goals in eight games. He will be looking to overtake Peter Musa, who has not lost any of his last 19 games in which he has scored (G16, E3), including a 3-3 draw against Inter last season.
Key stat: Benfica have scored at least two goals in seven of their last eight away UCL matches.
Inter – Benfica : Betting Tips
Inter – Win Odds: 1.90
