UCL 2022-23: Benfica vs Inter Milan: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

The quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League kick off next week

Benfica are set to host Inter Milan in the Champions League quarter-finals first leg on April 11, 2023. The clash will take place at Estádio da Luz in Portugal. Inter face the threat of losing their Champions League qualification spot to either Atalanta or AS Roma, as the latter two are in hot pursuit of Inzaghi’s side at the Serie A summit where they’ve attained just two points more.

While Inter’s qualification to the knock-out stages must have been quite unprecedented owing to the fact that they had to pull off a win against Barcelona to go through, their path through the knock-out stages has been quite easier.

Inter are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2010 when they last won the prestigious tournament. But it’s definitely an open tie. Schmidt’s side would still be a tough nut to crack for the Nerazzuri on the night.

The Eagles remain undefeated in Europe’s top-tier competition and what makes this more special is the fact that they could achieve this feat in a group which contained both Paris Saint Germain and Juventus. Stealing the top spot from the star-studded PSG, Benfica preyed on Club Brugge in the last 16 where they thrashed the Belgian outfit 7-1 on aggregate. And they definitely can keep at it here in the quarter-finals.

Kick-Off:

Tuesday, 11-04-2023, 7:00 PM (GMT)

Wednesday, 12-04-2023, 12:30 AM (IST)

Benfica Form(All Competitions): W-W-W-W-W-L

Inter Milan Form(All Competitions): L-D-L-L-D-D

Player to Watch Out

Benfica: Goncalo Ramos

A breakthrough project for Roger Schmidt’s side, the prodigy is currently in the form of his life at the Portuguese club. Like the kind of surge Joao Mario has experienced this term, the 21-year-old striker has more than tripled(25 goals) his total tally from last season(8 goals). He scored four goals in helping Benfica qualify for the Champions League this season.

Inter Milan: Lautaro Martinez

 Martínez is a versatile striker who can adapt his approach to giving him a better chance of scoring. This versatility is a vital part of his shooting ability; it makes him unpredictable and allows him to choose the technique that gives him the best opportunity to beat the goalkeeper.

Martínez's unique technique enables him to drive the shot low past the goalkeeper, and his ambidexterity and concentration make him an outlier amongst his peers. Aside from his finishing ability, Martínez has excellent vision and a sense of creativity that is rare in many centre forwards. When linking up with his teammates, the Argentine keeps the ball moving by playing one-touch passes to alter the direction of the ball ever so slightly.

Match Facts

• Schmidt’s side is the third undefeated team in the UEFA Champions League this season after Bayern Munich and Manchester City, with six wins and two draws recorded up until now.
• Simone Inzaghi’s men have lost all of their past five games. They scored just two goals across these games.
• The Eagles have kept nine clean sheets in their past twelve outings in all competitions. They are unbeaten on home ground this season and they are set to host Inter next week.
• Benfica is yet to advance beyond the last eight of the competition since 1989-90 when they finished as runners-up to AC Milan whilst Inter Milan last reached the semis in 2010, eventually clinching the trophy.

Injury and Team News

Benfica will be missing some players from injuries but it will not bother them as such, since they have consistently performed well in the league as well as in Europe. Julian Draxler: Ankle Surgery, Mihailo Ristic: Hamstring Injury, Gonçalo Guedes: Meniscal Injury

Inter Milan is in a bad run of form as they are struggling to win and score in matches and currently, many players from the squad will be missing the match. Dalbert: Cruciate Ligament Injury, Robin Gosens: Leg Injury, Alessandro Bastoni: Hamstring Injury, Federico Dimarco: Abdominal muscles injury, Milan Skriniar: Back trouble and Danilo D'Ambrosio: Red card suspension

Head-to-head Stats

Matches - 3

Benfica - 0

Inter - 1

Draws - 2

Predicted Lineup

Benfica Predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): 

Vlachodimos; Bah, Silva, Otamendi, Grimaldo; Luis, Chiquinho; J.MArio, Silva, Ausrnes; Ramos

Inter Milan Predicted lineup (3-5-2): 

Onana; Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Dzeko, Lautaro

Prediction

Inter Milan will probably do okay in the defence, but their offence will struggle. It’s not just because their strikers are out of shape but also because they probably won’t have the ball in their possession too often. Benfica’s players are almost guaranteed to be the ones to dominate Tuesday’s game.

Prediction: Benfica 2-0 Inter Milan

Telecast

India – Sony Sports Network, Jio TV, Sony LIV

UK – BT Sport, BT Sports App

US – CBS Sports Network, CBS, Univision, fuboTV, Paramount+

Nigeria – SuperSport