2023-04-20 08:00:59
Published on :
Inter Milan qualified for the semi-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday after a 3-3 draw against Benfica at home, and will return to AC Milan. The other semi-final will see Real Madrid and Manchester City face off, like last season.
Inter Milan validated, Wednesday, April 19, its ticket to San Siro with a draw against Benfica (3-3). The Italian club joins AC Milan in the semi-finals of the Champions League, the first legs of which will take place on May 9.
Last Italian team to have lifted the Cup with big ears, in 2010, Inter invites itself into the last four for the first time since this victorious odyssey under the orders of José Mourinho.
To offer the tifosi nerazzurri a new European derby against the Rossoneri, as in the semi-finals in 2003 and in the quarter-finals in 2005, Inter were particularly realistic with three goals from three shots on target, signed Nicolo Barella (14th), Lautaro Martinez (65th) and Joaquin Correa (78th).
Benfica had come back to 1-1 but never threatened Inter, then scoring too late to turn things around.
Manchester City, which held the shock on the lawn of Bayern Munich (1-1) also logically qualified on Wednesday after having done most of the work in the first leg.
City will face Real Madrid for a place in the final, in a huge clash, and Inter Milan will be entitled to a double derby with their arch-rivals, AC Milan (goes May 9-10, returns May 16-17).
City is solid
Winner 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City approached their trip to Munich with a very good margin. Pep Guardiola’s men have been roughed up by Bayern, who have been plagued by doubts lately, but they have never given in, giving themselves the right to continue their European adventure with a new feat by the phenomenal Erling Haaland in the second half (57th ), the equalization on penalty of Joshua Kimmich (83rd) being anecdotal.
The top scorer in the competition (12 goals) started the match in the worst possible way by missing a very severe penalty whistled shortly before the break by the French referee Clément Turpin for a handball from Dayot Upamecano (37th). But he did not abdicate, playing with the Bavarian defense and the unfortunate Upamecano, already in great difficulty in Manchester a week ago, to closely shoot Bayern goalkeeper Yann Sommer (57th).
The tricolor defender had previously narrowly escaped humiliation after receiving a red card at the start of the game, canceled after intervention by the VAR for an offside at the start of the action.
This is City two games away from a second C1 final after the one lost in 2021 against Chelsea. But before going to Istanbul on June 10, we will have to get rid of Real Madrid. The double confrontation with the defending champion and holder of the record for victories in the event (14) promises to be grandiose.
With AFP
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