Inter-Benfica: where to watch it on TV and probable lineups. The latest on the Champions League

Important match for the Nerazzurri at San Siro, three points are needed to avoid Salzburg's escape: former Joao Mario's Benfica arrives in Milan

di MANUEL MINGUZZI
2 October 2023

lautaro martinez

Milan, 2 October 2023 - The stop was redeemed with the Sassuolo with the sumptuous poker of Salerno (Lautaro Martinez showman), Inter will also try to redeem the draw in San Sebastian against Real Sociedad to boost their prices with a view to qualifying for the Champions League round of 16. The Salzburg gave birth to the first mini escape with the Lisbon sack on the Benfica and it will be the Portuguese who will visit Inter at the San Siro on Tuesday 3 October. The ex Joao will arrive Mario but also the former Juve Angel Of Maria: challenge that is anything but easy. And while the Nerazzurri will have a load of enthusiasm after the victory in Salerno, the Portuguese will arrive at San Siro after the precious home victory against Harbour, in one of the most heartfelt matches of the Portuguese championship. A match of fundamental importance for Inzaghi, considering that the Austrians at the top of the group will host Real Sociedad, and in fact three points will be needed to prevent the group from becoming too complicated in an increasingly high-level and competitive Champions League. In short, it's not an in or out but there will be important points up for grabs in Milan.

Learn more:

Live Champions League: Napoli-Real and Inter-Benfica live. All results

Live Champions League: Napoli-Real and Inter-Benfica live. All results

Probable lineups: Lautaro-Thuram in front. Watch out for Di Maria

Even though we come from the midweek shift, Simone Inzaghi he won't have the opportunity to make a lot of turnovers in such a delicate and complicated match. Inside the starters, especially that Lautaro Martinez returning from the Arechi poker starting from the bench. He will be the number ten to lead the Nerazzurri attack paired with the explosiveness of Marcus Thuram. In the other departments choices without particular surprises, with Pavard, Acerbi and Bastoni behind, then Dumfries e Marco's for the raids in the band, Calhanoglu in the midst of giving dam and order and Stretcher-Mkhitaryan men with forward raid licence. In Benfica 4-2-3-1 with Troubin in goal, a goalkeeper insistently sought after by Inter in the summer, then Bah, Morato, Otamendi and Aursnes in defense, they will be there in midfield Neves e Kokcu to protect, while forward the dangerous Of Maria on the right, watch out for the left-handed player to come back, then Rafa Silva and David Neres behind Musa, who in the summer had been linked to Thiago Motta's Bologna. Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Lautaro, Thuram. Benfica (4-2-3-1): Trubin; Bah, Morato, Otamendi, Aursnes; Kokcu, Neves; Di Maria, Rafa Silva, David Neres; Muse.

Precedents favorable to Inter

There is good news for Nerazzurri fans: Inter he never lost to the Benfica in five previous cases. Three in the Champions League and two in the UEFA Cup, with the Inter players winning on three occasions with two draws. The first precedent, a delightful Nerazzurri memory, dates back to the Champions Cup final on 27 May 1965 with a XNUMX-XNUMX score. Jair against Benfica in the extraordinary Eusebio. Subsequently the two teams did not meet for forty long years until the round of 2003 of the 2004/4 UEFA Cup. Inter held a 3-XNUMX draw in Lisbon, then in the daring return XNUMX-XNUMX with a brace from Martins, pick up and Bobo I came for the passage of the round towards the quarter-finals. That cup didn't go well for Inter and they were then eliminated from Marseille to the quarterfinals with a double one-nil, with the French subsequently defeated in the final by Valencia. The last precedent is that of the last edition in the quarter-finals. Inter managed to secure passage to the first round by winning 0-2 with goals from Stretcher e Lukaku, then in the second leg three by three with Inter leading up to 3-1 before the vain Portuguese comeback.

Referee of the challenge

Inter-Benfica will be managed by the Dutchman Danny Makkelie, assisted by Hessel Steegstra and Jan de Vries (fourth official Allard Lindhout, Var Rob Dieperink, Avar the Slovenian Nejc Kajtazovic).

Inzaghi's words

Simone doesn't trust Benfica Inzaghi. The Lusitani come from the classic win against Harbour in the league and have practically always won in the season except in the first Champions League match against Salzburg, match spoiled by a red card. For the Nerazzurri coach it will be a tough, very tough challenge: “It will be a difficult and high-intensity match - his words on the eve - Benfica's playing principles are those of last year and on the first day they were defeated playing with ten men, but they deserved a much better result for the opportunities created." For Inzaghi starting backbone on the pitch with three defections: Sensi, Frattesi and Arnautovic. Obviously it will be Lautaro's turn up front Martinez take charge of the attack: “Lautaro is a fantastic footballer, but there is also the man who has a great sense of belonging. He always works hard, every day and this makes the difference." It's a Inzaghi satisfied with the one who is coaching league leaders Inter, with long rotations, internal competition that stimulates growth and an exceptional commitment from the whole team: "The best aspect so far is that all the players want to put me in difficulty in my choices . Now everyone is needed given the many close matches, we recover and train by playing." And we can in any case continue to improve, as he asks Inzaghi even in the details of a match: “In Salerno we approached very well and created several opportunities, then we had to defend ourselves more as a team and in the second half we certainly played better. It wasn't easy after the home defeat against Sassuolo."

TV times: double live

Inter-Benfica is scheduled for Tuesday 3 October at 21pm at the Meazza stadium in San Siro in Milan. Double live television, both paid and free. On Sky live on channels 202 and 253 with commentary by Federico Zancan and Aldo Serena. Live on Canale 5 with commentary by Riccardo Trevigiani and Massimo Paganin. Read also - Serie A, Roma breathes: Frosinone beaten two-nil

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