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2022/23 UEFA Champions League
Quarter-finals
First leg
Benfica v Inter Milan
Estadio da Luz
Lisbon, Portugal
Tuesday, 11 April 2023
Kick-off is at 21h00
Benfica and Inter Milan are set to meet in the
UEFA Champions League for the first time when they go head to head in the quarter-final, first leg at the Estadio da Luz on Tuesday, April 12.
The two former European champions have only faced off once before in continental action, with the Nerazzurri emerging 4-3 victors on aggregate in the last 16 of the 2003-04 Europa League campaign.
The Eagles have an impressive pedigree in the European Cup, winning the title in 1962 and 1962, while finishing runners-up on five occasions, although they've never gone further than the last eight of the Champions League in five previous attempts.
Roger Schmidt's side cruised past Club Brugge in the last 16, triumphing 2-0 in Belgium before running out 5-1 victors in Portugal to progress 7-1 on aggregate.
The Primeira Liga leaders have won their last eight matches on the spin in all competitions since being dumped out of the Taca de Portugal on penalties by Sporting Braga.
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Inter are also two-time winners of the European Cup (1964 and 1965) but they have managed to lift the coveted Champions League trophy once, in 2010, when they recorded a historic treble.
Simone Inzaghi's men edged FC Porto in the first knockout round, winning 1-0 in Italy followed by a 0-0 draw in Portugal.
However, their form has dipped of late as the MIlan giants are winless in their last five games across all competitions and find themselves in danger of dropping out of the Champions League places after suffering three straight defeats in Serie A.
In team news, the hosts must do without Goncalo Guedes (knee), while Mihailo Ristic (muscular) and Julian Draxler (ankle) face late fitness tests. Hakan Calhanoglu (thigh) and Milan Skriniar (back) are the only absentees for the visitors.
Schmidt hailed Benfica's qualification to the quarter-finals as a "great achievement" and is hoping to bring their supporters more happiness by reaching the semi-finals for the first time.
"I'm happy to be the manager of this club and happy for everyone, because it's a great day. The Champions League is the biggest club competition and we are part of the last eight teams," he said.
"It's a great achievement for Benfica and for the players, for some it is the first time they have achieved it. The important thing is that, today, all Benfiquistas are happy."
Inzaghi is determined to keep Inter's journey in Europe going as they bid for a first semi-final berth since winning the title 13 years ago.
"In the double-header we deserved access to the quarter-finals, which we will now play with great confidence," he said.
"I am very serene and calm, we are making a journey. I have been in football for many years and I know what criticisms I have to listen to. My boys have done a great feat tonight, bringing Inter back to the top eight in Europe."
Head-to-Head (Previous European Meetings)
Matches - 2
Benfica - 0
Inter Milan - 1
Draws - 1
UEFA Champions League fixtures:
Tuesday, April 11
21h00: Benfica v Inter Milan
21h00: Manchester City v Bayern Munich
Wednesday, April 12
21h00: Real Madrid v Chelsea
21h00: AC Milan v Napoli
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