Inter Milan were seen as the underdogs at the Estadio da Luz when they faced Benfica in the first-leg mixture but they traveled back to base with a 2-0 advantage to put one foot firmly in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. Enduring a six-game winless run in all tournaments before visiting Benfica's fortified headquarters, expectations were low for Inter in last week's first leg, but a pair of crosses did the damage for Inzaghi's side during a steadfast showing. Knockout competitions have been Inter's specialty this season as the Italian powerhouse also prepares to take on Juventus in the second-leg fixture of the Coppa Italia last four. However, they have failed to impress in Italy's top-flight league and recently went down 1-0 to Monza during the past weekend. 

The Nerazzurri are now playing catch-up in the top-four race as they are sitting fifth and have only one win in their last five Serie A matches. They are two points adrift of their arch-rivals AC Milan who are sitting fourth and await them in the last four of the Champions League competition should Inter be successful in defending their first-leg lead tonight. It is worth noting, however, that Inter Milan have not conceded more than once while playing on home soil since a 2-1 loss to Roma in early October. Additionally, the three times continental champions have never been eliminated from a European Cup knockout tie in which they have won the first leg by at least two goals. 

Benfica who are enjoying good form did try last week but wastefulness cost them as they did not seize the opportunities they had in the game. Potentially still reeling from a 2-1 loss to title rivals Porto a few days before hosting Inter, Benfica's lead at the top of the rankings was cut down to just four points at the weekend, as mid-table Chaves stunned them 1-0 thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Issah Abass. They are now on a three-game losing streak since November 2018 and now a quarter-final curse could be in wait for them as they have not been able to advance to the semi-finals of the Champions League under its current name.  

The Portuguese giants have progressed only once from the nine times they have lost the first leg of a European Cup knockout tie by at least two goals. The only time was in the 1961-1962 season when they reversed a 3-1 deficit against Nurnberg to win 6-0 and they went all the way to win the continental showpiece event beating Real Madrid in that season's final. However, on a more optimistic note, Benfica have gone unbeaten in each of their last seven Champions League away games (excluding qualifying). Defeat to Inter in the first leg, however, means that Benfica have failed to win any of their four meetings with the Italian giants. The last time these two clubs met at the San Siro, the match ended up having 7 goals with Inter emerging victorious in a 4-3 scoreline. 

(Image: Twitter)