Inter set up all-Italian Champions League semi with AC Milan

21 April 2023

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AFP, Milan :
Inter Milan set up a blockbuster derby in the Champions League semi-final on Wednesday after a 3-3 draw with Benfica saw the Italians through 5-3 on aggregate.
Simone Inzaghi's side will face local rivals AC Milan in the last four thanks to goals from Nicolo Barella, Lautaro Martinez and Joaquin Correa which ensured straight-forward qualification.
Both Milan giants are trying to become the first Serie A side to win Europe's top club competition since Inter last lifted the trophy in 2010.
"It was a big night for everyone at the club, and we deserved to go through over the course of the two legs," said Inzaghi.
"The players were incredible over the two matches. Getting to the semi-finals is a dream and now that we're here we want to go try and go all the way."
Inter had come into Wednesday's clash in a miserable run of form in which their only win in their last eight games had come in last week's first leg in Portugal.
The win set up two mouth-watering clashes with Milan next month after the Italian champions saw off Napoli on Tuesday night.
It also snapped a three-match home losing streak in which Inter hadn't scored a single goal and continued their impressive season in cup competitions while their league campaign flounders.
Martinez and Correa ended worrying goalscoring droughts with their strikes, as well as making sure that Fredrik Aursnes, Antonio Silva and Petar Musa netting for the away side made no difference to the outcome of the tie.
"We're really happy, we're really proud to represent the badge and this great club," said Martinez.
"We knew that this (going through) meant playing a derby in the semi-finals of the Champions League. I play this sport to win everything possible, I'm really happy to be in the semi-finals, this club deserves to be there."