Great comeback: Benfica 3 - 3 Inter

The Nerazzurri conceded three goals in the first half (a hat-trick from Joao Mario), then unleashed themselves in the second half: with goals from Arnautovic, Fratesse and Sanchez on penalties. A touch of red for Antonio Silva after his foul on Barella

European nights, Nerazzurri nights, are never normal. never. Because Inter does not stop, Inter does not surrender. Even when she’s not at her best, even when she seems detached, almost at a standstill. Inter always rises. Inter always start running again, because they have heart, class and determination. With an incredible people, present everywhere, in all circumstances, cheering, inciting, and accompanying. Despite the score being 3-0 in the 34th minute, an unusual circumstance for the Nerazzurri: unbelievable, isn’t it? A hat-trick from Joao Mario knocks Inter out of the match. Then after that break, the rhythm changed, the wave of the Nerazzurra growing louder and louder, under the pouring rain of Lisbon. The rain increases and so do Inter’s attacks. First Arnautovic, then Fratesi. And finally Sanchez. 3 goals in 21 minutes, in a draw that did not turn into a win for several reasons: Barella’s goal, Trubin’s save. On the other hand, Bisque and Odero secured the result. The result of the draw is 3-3. Against Real Sociedad, one win will be enough to take first place. But in the meantime, this evening Inter showed everyone that they are not easy to beat.

A thousand memories on this rainy night. Odero’s first start with Inter, the first goal in the Nerazzurro shirt for Marko Arnautovic (return to the Champions League after 13 years – the last time was against Inter in the Werder Bremen shirt), the second surprise hat-trick in the Champions League match, and already at that time, unbeaten for Inter ( It was Bale, Inter Tottenham 4-3). Then another 3-3 between Inter and Benfica, after that last April, for the return of the Champions League quarter-finals.

Numbers, data and surprises in this two-speed match: a slow start, with some positional errors and a lack of intensity. After 13 minutes, Inter were 2-0 down: Joao Mario – a former player – first took advantage of a pass from Tingstedt, then found himself in a good position in the middle of the area after a ball given away by the Nerazzurri. Counters also work against you, which is a symptom of very low tension: in the 34th minute, the Portuguese scored the third goal. 3-0. Everything is over ? This is not the true face of Inter, which cannot cross Benfica’s solid lines.

Then the shooting of a completely different movie begins. Without change, Inzaghi finds Inter, who immediately start attacking. In the 51st minute, Arnautovic took advantage of a ball touched by Besek, to celebrate his first goal in a Nerazzurro shirt: Wanted, wanted, deserved. This is fundamental to changing the course of the game.From now on: Solo Inter. Acerbi makes a ‘Bastoni’ move, flies left and crosses to Fratesi. David is exceptional in his coordination and scores the goal with his left foot, which certainly restarts the game, 7 minutes after Marco’s goal.

One-two shocks Benfica, but does not finish them off. Di Maria tries to turn things around with his speed, Tengstedt screams at goal but Pesek stifles the scream in his throat. Inzaghi pushes Cuadrado, Thuram and Barella. Benfica retreats, and Thuram takes advantage, like a hero, and hits: penalty, point. Converted by Alexis Sanchez: It’s the 72nd minute, 3-3, Inter want to win.

We’re fighting, the rain is falling, the rain is falling harder. Everyone wants to win. Benfica found themselves on 10 after a violent challenge from Antonio Silva on Barella, which was recognized by the VAR. Inter’s final effort is poignant: in the 95th minute, ten minutes into stoppage time, Barella, forgotten in the area, takes the ball with his left foot and finds it outside the post. The goal does not happen, nor does victory. So the match ends with a slightly crazy score of 3-3.

Benfica 3-3 Inter

Goals: Joao Mario in the 5th, 13th and 34th minutes, Arnautovic in the 51st minute, Fratesi in the 58th minute, and Sanchez in the 72nd minute from a penalty kick.

Benfica (4-2-3-1): 1 tropin; 8 Orsene, 4a. Silva, 30 Otamendi, 5 Morato; 61 Florentino (10 Coco 78), Joao Neves 87; 11 Di Maria (44 Tomas Araujo in the 89th minute), Rafa Silva (22 Chiquinho in the 99th minute), Joao Mario (47 Antonis Gouveia in the 99th minute). 19 Tungstedt (33 Moses 78). Subs: 24 Soares, 45 Kokupo, 9 Cabral, 13 Jurassic, 38 Victor. Coach: Roger Schmidt.

Inter (3-5-2): 77 Odero; 31 Bisque, 6 de Vrij (32 Demarco 77), 15 Acerbe; 36 Darmian (7 Cuadrado 68), 16 Fratesi, 21 Asllani, 14 Klaassen (23 Barilla 68), 30 Carlos Augusto; 70 Sanchez (10 Lautaro in the 78th minute), 8 Arnautovic (9 Thuram in the 68th minute). Subs: 1 Sommer, 12 Di Gennaro, 20 Calhanoglu, 22 Mkhitaryan, 44 Stabile, 47 Kamati, 50 Stankovic. Coach: Simone Inzaghi.

Warnings : Joao Mario (B), Cuadrado (I), Morato (B) exile : Antonio Silva (B) 86′ Extra time: 4′ – 9′.

arbitrator :Andris Tremanis (LVA). Assistants: Gudermanis, Spasnikov (LVA). Fourth ruling : Golubev (LVA). Video Assistant Referee: Bebec (CRO). VAR Wizard : Dankert (Germany).