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

Águias face an uphill task to overturn the deficit as Internazionale hosts them at San Siro.

Inter Milan have earned themselves a well-deserved two goal lead in Portugal which puts them in a driving seat to reach the semi-Finals of the Champions League. The knockout competitions have been Inter's speciality this season, as Inzaghi's side also prepares to take on Derby d'Italia foes Juventus in the second leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final later this month, but they have flattered to deceive in the top flight and went down 1-0 to regional rivals Monza at the weekend.

Taking just one point from their last five Serie A matches means that the Nerazzurri are playing catch-up in the top-four face - sitting fifth in the rankings and two points adrift of fourth-placed AC Milan - who could await them in a tempting European semi-final as they aim to complete their job against Napoli.

Their rivals have been on a losing streak as Benfica have lost all 3 of their matches across all competition. It may be pressure on them in a tight title race or Champions League qualifying contentions but the Eagles need to find back their rhythm again to salvage something out of this season.

On a more optimistic note, Benfica are on the top of the table in the league and has gone unbeaten in each of their last seven Champions League away games (excluding qualifying), but defeat in the first leg means that the Portuguese giants have failed to win any of their four meetings with Inter. 

Kick-off:

Wednesday, 19-04-2023, 03:00 pm (ET)

Thursday, 20-04-2023, 12:30 am (IST)

Stadium: San Siro, Milan

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

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

Player to watch

Inter Milan: Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku has scored nine goals in 14 appearances for Internazionale in the UEFA Champions League, with only four players now scoring more goals for the club in the competition – Adriano (14), Julio Cruz (13), Hernán Crespo (11) and Samuel Eto’o (10). After a disappointing season start, he has revived his hunger for goal-scoring lately and has been putting performances for his club and country.

Benfica: Gonçalo Ramos

Gonçalo Ramos has been directly involved in four goals in his last four UEFA Champions League appearances for Benfica (three goals and one assist). On top of his attacking contribution, he is crucial to Benfica’s pressing out of possession, where he has applied more pressures (674) and pressures in the final third (299) than any other striker in the competition this season.

Match Facts

• Internazionale could reach the final four of the European Cup/Champions League for the ninth time, and for the first time since 2009-10 when they won the competition under José Mourinho. Simone Inzaghi would be the first Italian coach to lead Inter to the semi-finals of the competition since Eugenio Bersellini in 1980-81.
• Since the beginning of the 2016-17 campaign, only Paris Saint-Germain (17) have given away more penalties in the UEFA Champions League than Benfica (13), giving away their third penalty of this campaign in the first leg.
• Benfica is currently unbeaten in seven away matches in the UEFA Champions League (W4 D3) – this is their longest-ever unbeaten run away from home in the European Cup/Champions League. They have won their last two away matches and could win three in a row for the first time since March 1990.

Injury and Team News

Inter Milan: Injury: 

Milan Skriniar (Back trouble) The defender has been sitting on the sidelines for a whole month due to problems to his back. 

Stefan de Vrij (Unknown Injury) The defender was sidelined in the recent match and his injury is unknown till further reports. 

Benfica: Injury: 

Julian Draxler (Ankle Surgery) the playmaker is sidelined to his upcoming surgery and has been out of action since February 2023. 

Mihailo Ristic (thigh) He is nursing muscular problems and appears set to miss out

Alexander Bah (Knee Injury) The defender is facing at least a few more weeks out with a knee injury.

Head to Head stats 

Matches – 04

Inter Milan – 02

SL Benfica – 00

Draws – 02

Predicted Lineups

SL Benfica Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):

O. Vlachodimos, Álex Grimaldo, Morato, António Silva, Gilberto, Chiquinho, Florentino, F. Aursnes, Rafa, João Mário, Gonçalo Ramos

FC Internazionale Milano Predicted Lineup (3-5-2):

A. Onana, A. Bastoni, F. Acerbi, M. Darmian, F. Dimarco, H. Mkhitaryan, M. Brozović, N. Barella, D. Dumfries, E. Džeko, Lautaro Martínez

Match Prediction for Inter Milan vs Benfica

The Italian powerhouse has already put itself in a comfortable situation by winning the away leg. They will look to continue to proceed into the Semi-Finals with a convincing and solid performance at San Siro. Inter-Milan will be eyeing their 2nd Champions League title and it only seems 4 matches away, so they have everything to play for.

Benfica on other hand, has a memorable season to remember after knocking out Juventus in the Group stage and decimating Club Brugge by a 7-1 aggregate in the last 16. They will need to replicate the same performance to overturn the deficit and make it into the final 4 of the competition. 

Prediction: Inter Milan (2) vs (1) Benfica 

Inter Milan to progress on aggregate 4 - 1

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