Benfica suffered another defeat at Luz on Tuesday and broke the Champions League continuity with a 2-0 loss at home to Inter Milan.
Roger Schmidt was forced to change the squad due to the disqualification of Otamendi (he was replaced by Morato) and the injury of Bach (played by Gilberto), and it was immediately noticed that the team never recovered from the defeat by Porto (1: 2). ) for the League. With tough football and no reins, Benfica allowed Inter to grow and believe in the goal.
Despite the controversial match, there were few chances for goals. Onana still denied Rafa a goal after a powerful shot into the penalty area. But the truth is that Inter were comfortable defending. He did not flinch under the embodied onslaught and launched counterattacks cautiously and dangerously.
In the second half, Benfica even started better, but it was during this period that they conceded the first goal. In the course of the counterattack, the defense is on the wrong foot, and Barella strikes without resistance with a header with a score of 1:0.
The Eagle, still suffering from the injury of Friday’s loss to Porto, reacted, but it was noted that Schmidt’s side could neither keep up the pressure nor push a stronger opponent into defensive tasks. However, Grimaldo missed a good opportunity when Goncalo Ramos asked for a penalty.
But the cynicism of the Italians was great in the counterattack. In one of these passes through the Benfica stadium, Dumfries scored twice with the same technique. Odysseus blocked the headbutt and Morato blocked the reload. After this movement, VAR drew the referee’s attention to the hand of Joao Mario. After analyzing Luz’s application, the British referee signaled a penalty, which Lukaku did not forgive. The Belgian striker’s goal complicates Benfica’s score in the second leg of the Champions League quarter.
Positive
Inter is true to tactics
It was a cynical but effective tactic for Inzaghi. He took advantage of the calmness of his defensive team to call Benfica into his zone and then counter-attack and end up creating a danger near the red goal. So it was with Barella’s goal and Dumfries’ move.
Negative
Roger Schmidt
Benfica have forgotten how to be a dominant team. This was the case with Porto, and on Tuesday he lost several holes again. The German coach looks confused and not used to two defeats in a row. On Tuesday, even in substitutions, he showed great indecision.
Arbitration
Penalty yes and penalty no
Darmian forgave the yellow card for Rafa’s foul. There are many doubts about the movement of Gonzalo Ramos in the area where Bastogne kicked him in the leg. VAR was decisive in João Mario’s penalty (hand on ball), otherwise he would have gone unnoticed. Lukaku took advantage and made the score 2-0.
“It’s just a break, we must believe”
“Of course it’s not ideal to lose at home, but it’s just a break. We always have to believe in ourselves,” Roger Schmidt said after the game, adding: “Can Benfica win in Milan? Transparent!”. The coach also explained why he made only one substitution: “The players who were on the field performed well, in the end we had a great chance.”
Gedes accelerates recovery
Gonzalo Guedes speeds up recovery from left knee injury When he underwent surgery on March 14, the striker was expected to be out for four to six weeks, so the best-case scenario was confirmed. Gedes was about to come out: accompanied by Musa, he was waiting at the line from the 90th minute, and at 90 + 3′ Schmidt eventually refused a double substitution.
