Inter Milan relishing semi-final showdown against AC Milan, says coach Simone Inzaghi
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Inter Milan's midfielder Nicolo Barella celebrates with his teammates after scoring the 1-0 goal.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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MILAN – Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi described their run to the Champions League semi-finals as a dream and said they will give it all they have against city rivals AC Milan as they battle to become the first Italian finalists for six years.
The 47-year-old could not hide his excitement after his team drew 3-3 with Benfica in the second leg of their quarter-final at home on Wednesday to win 5-3 on aggregate, reaching the semis for the first time since they won the trophy 13 years ago.
“My boys? They were historic,” Inzaghi told Inter TV, when asked about his players’ performance.
“It’s historic because of what they are doing, reaching both the Champions League and Coppa Italia semi-finals. We know that some points were left on the road in the Italian league, but it’s mostly because of a crazy schedule.
“When we were drawn in a (Champions League) group with Bayern Munich and Barcelona back in August, we were very, very far away.”
Inter won Europe’s top club competition for the third time in 2010 and were the last Italian side to triumph, with Juventus losing the 2015 and 2017 finals.
The Milan teams have met twice in the Champions League knockout stages, in the 2002-03 semis and 2004-05 quarter-finals with AC Milan, the seven-time European champions, winning both.
“We deserved to reach this semi-final. It was a dream but now we’re here and we’ll play it big,” added Inzaghi. “I’m happy for the lads and their journey.
“We started from a very difficult group with Bayern and Barca but we were good and united together with the fans, who helped us a lot.
“We work every day to live these days that have been missing here at Inter for many years... We are happy and we will play it in the best way.”
Leading 2-0 from the first leg in Portugal, Inter were happy to sit back on Wednesday and wait for counter-attacks against a desperate Benfica side.
They took the lead after 14 minutes when Nicolo Barella unleashed a thunderous strike into the top corner of the net.
Benfica equalised in the 38th minute, thanks to Fredrik Aursnes’ close-range header.
Inter then opened up a two-goal lead after the break as Lautaro Martinez and substitute Joaquin Correa netted.
Benfica refused to lie down, however, with Antonio Silva and substitute Petar Musa scoring late goals to salvage a draw.
Inter and Milan will clash at the San Siro – with the first leg on May 10 and the second leg on May 16.
The winners will face Real Madrid or Manchester City, who meet in the semi-finals for the second consecutive season. REUTERS
