Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos trains on April 10, 2023, on the eve of the Portuguese league leaders' Champions League quarter-final clash against Inter Milan. AFP
Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos trains on April 10, 2023, on the eve of the Portuguese league leaders' Champions League quarter-final clash against Inter Milan. AFP
Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos trains on April 10, 2023, on the eve of the Portuguese league leaders' Champions League quarter-final clash against Inter Milan. AFP
Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos trains on April 10, 2023, on the eve of the Portuguese league leaders' Champions League quarter-final clash against Inter Milan. AFP

Sport

Football

Benfica and Inter look to bounce back as they clash in Champions League last eight

Italians out to end six-game winless streak as they travel to face Portuguese powerhouses stung by loss to Porto

Associated Press

April 11, 2023

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European powerhouses Benfica and Inter Milan clash at the Stadium of Light in the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Tuesday determined to get their seasons back on track.

Italian giants Inter have gone more than a month without a victory, while Primeira Liga leaders Benfica will seek to bounce back after losing 2-1 to their fiercest rivals Porto in the league on Friday.

Inter drew 1-1 in Serie A with Salernitana on the same day to stretch their winless streak to six games.

The Italians, in the last eight for the first time in 12 years, will hope they can reach the Champions League last four for the first time since they last won the competition in 2010.

Benfica are aiming to make it past the quarter-finals for the first time since losing the final to Inter's rivals AC Milan in 1990.

The loss to Porto was only Benfica's second defeat after a setback at Braga 17 matches ago. They have won 13 of their last 15 matches in all competitions since then.

“The game against Porto didn't go how we expected,” Benfica midfielder Chiquinho said. “Now our focus is on Tuesday’s game. It’s an important match and we need to find a way to get the victory in front of our fans.”

Benfica, European champions in 1961 and 1962, are in the quarter-finals for the second consecutive season, having been eliminated by eventual runners-up Liverpool last year.

They have been one of the surprise packages this season after starting in the third qualifying round. They won a difficult group that included Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus, then easily eliminated Belgian champions Club Brugge in the round of 16.

PSG v Benfica - player ratings

PSG PLAYER RATINGS: Gianluigi Donnarumma 5 – Had very little to do until he received a pass from Marquinhos when under pressure. He panicked, and ended up kicking the ball needlessly out of play. In the second half, Grimaldo’s speculative effort almost caught him out, while he could do little about Mario’s convincing penalty. Shaky performance. AFP
PSG PLAYER RATINGS: Gianluigi Donnarumma 5 – Had very little to do until he received a pass from Marquinhos when under pressure. He panicked, and ended up kicking the ball needlessly out of play. In the second half, Grimaldo’s speculative effort almost caught him out, while he could do little about Mario’s convincing penalty. Shaky performance. AFP
Achraf Hakimi 5 – A quiet night for Hakimi, who found attacking space hard to come by, and who had to deal with a lively Grimaldo. Lucky not to give away a penalty when a deep cross caught the top of his arm, preventing Mario from a shot at goal. Reuters
Achraf Hakimi 5 – A quiet night for Hakimi, who found attacking space hard to come by, and who had to deal with a lively Grimaldo. Lucky not to give away a penalty when a deep cross caught the top of his arm, preventing Mario from a shot at goal. Reuters
Sergio Ramos 5 – Efficient winning the ball back and playing the simple pass. He thought he teed up Mbappe for the winner, but the forward’s late goal was disallowed for offside. AFP
Sergio Ramos 5 – Efficient winning the ball back and playing the simple pass. He thought he teed up Mbappe for the winner, but the forward’s late goal was disallowed for offside. AFP
Marquinhos 7 – On hand to tidy up when needed. He made a crucial intervention to block Draxler in the closing stages. AFP
Marquinhos 7 – On hand to tidy up when needed. He made a crucial intervention to block Draxler in the closing stages. AFP
Danilo 6 – Another solid, if not spectacular outing for the defender. Formed a steely barrier to thwart Benfica’s movement. Reuters
Danilo 6 – Another solid, if not spectacular outing for the defender. Formed a steely barrier to thwart Benfica’s movement. Reuters
Juan Bernat 5 – A disappointing night for Bernat, though it was from his run into the box that PSG earned the penalty that gave them the lead; the Spaniard crocked by Silva. AFP
Juan Bernat 5 – A disappointing night for Bernat, though it was from his run into the box that PSG earned the penalty that gave them the lead; the Spaniard crocked by Silva. AFP
Vitinha 6 – One of PSG’s more effective midfielders on an evening where they found it difficult finding a way through Benfica’s formation. AFP
Vitinha 6 – One of PSG’s more effective midfielders on an evening where they found it difficult finding a way through Benfica’s formation. AFP
Marco Verratti 5 – Effective at keeping the ball moving in the first half, he was punished in the second when his boot caught Silva. It was his first penalty conceded in European action for the French side. AFP
Marco Verratti 5 – Effective at keeping the ball moving in the first half, he was punished in the second when his boot caught Silva. It was his first penalty conceded in European action for the French side. AFP
Neymar 5 – In a game of few chances for the Brazilian, he headed over in a move that had already been pulled back for offside. He came to life just before the break, flicking the ball over Luis before being stopped in his tracks by Bah. Was on the receiving end of several hard challenges. AFP
Neymar 5 – In a game of few chances for the Brazilian, he headed over in a move that had already been pulled back for offside. He came to life just before the break, flicking the ball over Luis before being stopped in his tracks by Bah. Was on the receiving end of several hard challenges. AFP
Pablo Sarabia 4 – Had one shot on goal in the first half but it was lacking in power, and posed no problems for Vlachodimos. A poor evening from Lionel Messi’s replacement. AFP
Pablo Sarabia 4 – Had one shot on goal in the first half but it was lacking in power, and posed no problems for Vlachodimos. A poor evening from Lionel Messi’s replacement. AFP
Kylian Mbappe 7 – Looked a danger when running at the Benfica defence from the left. He gave the home side the lead from the penalty spot after Bernat was upended in the box, and in doing so became PSG’s highest ever scorer in the Champions League, with 30 goals. Came close to a second after the break but his effort went agonisingly wide of the post, and then saw a late volley ruled out for offside. AFP
Kylian Mbappe 7 – Looked a danger when running at the Benfica defence from the left. He gave the home side the lead from the penalty spot after Bernat was upended in the box, and in doing so became PSG’s highest ever scorer in the Champions League, with 30 goals. Came close to a second after the break but his effort went agonisingly wide of the post, and then saw a late volley ruled out for offside. AFP
SUBS: Hugo Ekitike (Sarabia 72') N/A – Had a few touches on the ball until Mukiele entered the field, at which point they seemed to cancel each other out. AP
SUBS: Hugo Ekitike (Sarabia 72') N/A – Had a few touches on the ball until Mukiele entered the field, at which point they seemed to cancel each other out. AP
Nordi Mukiele (Bernat 85’) N/A – Unable to unlock the visitors’ defence in his five-minute cameo. AFP
Nordi Mukiele (Bernat 85’) N/A – Unable to unlock the visitors’ defence in his five-minute cameo. AFP
Fabian Ruiz (Vitinha 86’) N/A – Had little time to impress. Perhaps surprising that he wasn’t introduced earlier. AFP
Fabian Ruiz (Vitinha 86’) N/A – Had little time to impress. Perhaps surprising that he wasn’t introduced earlier. AFP
Carlos Soler (Mbappe 90’) N/A – A late arrival, but did little to suggest he has what it takes to oust any of the starting XI. AFP
Carlos Soler (Mbappe 90’) N/A – A late arrival, but did little to suggest he has what it takes to oust any of the starting XI. AFP
BENFICA PLAYER RATINGS: Odysseas Vlachodimos 5 – There was little he could do about the penalty, but he saved well from Mbappe at his near post on the stroke of half-time to keep his side in the game. Getty
BENFICA PLAYER RATINGS: Odysseas Vlachodimos 5 – There was little he could do about the penalty, but he saved well from Mbappe at his near post on the stroke of half-time to keep his side in the game. Getty
Alexander Bah 4 – Tidy on the ball, but he had his hands full with Mbappe when the Frenchman pulled wide to the left. The Dane was arguably lucky to escape a card given some of his challenges. AFP
Alexander Bah 4 – Tidy on the ball, but he had his hands full with Mbappe when the Frenchman pulled wide to the left. The Dane was arguably lucky to escape a card given some of his challenges. AFP
Antonio Silva 6 – Contained the home side’s attacking trio well until he lost his head when committing to a rash tackle to floor Bernat and gift PSG a penalty. Beyond than, it was another impressive performance from the youngster. EPA
Antonio Silva 6 – Contained the home side’s attacking trio well until he lost his head when committing to a rash tackle to floor Bernat and gift PSG a penalty. Beyond than, it was another impressive performance from the youngster. EPA
Nicolas Otamendi 7 – Did well to contain the front three given he received a yellow card as early as the 21st minute. Kept his cool throughout. EPA
Nicolas Otamendi 7 – Did well to contain the front three given he received a yellow card as early as the 21st minute. Kept his cool throughout. EPA
Alex Grimaldo 6 – Neat and tidy with the ball at his feet, he took a kick to the head when stopping low to head clear from Sarabia. He troubled Donnarumma momentarily when his speculative effort from the left side of the area almost caught out the Italian. AFP
Alex Grimaldo 6 – Neat and tidy with the ball at his feet, he took a kick to the head when stopping low to head clear from Sarabia. He troubled Donnarumma momentarily when his speculative effort from the left side of the area almost caught out the Italian. AFP
Florentino Luis 7 – Made a brilliantly timed challenge to deny Mbappe in the second half after the Frenchman had turned on the afterburners and cut into the visitors’ box. Also did his part for the team by covering Silva when needed. AFP
Florentino Luis 7 – Made a brilliantly timed challenge to deny Mbappe in the second half after the Frenchman had turned on the afterburners and cut into the visitors’ box. Also did his part for the team by covering Silva when needed. AFP
Enzo Fernandez 6 – Received a yellow card in the second half for a late challenge on Neymar, before fouling the Brazilian twice in succession shortly afterwards. Was lucky not to see red from referee Michael Oliver. AFP
Enzo Fernandez 6 – Received a yellow card in the second half for a late challenge on Neymar, before fouling the Brazilian twice in succession shortly afterwards. Was lucky not to see red from referee Michael Oliver. AFP
Joao Mario 6 – Got frustrated in the first half and lashed out at Verratti to give away a needless free-kick. After the break, he delivered a cross that Ramos almost converted before levelling from the spot to draw the scores level. AFP
Joao Mario 6 – Got frustrated in the first half and lashed out at Verratti to give away a needless free-kick. After the break, he delivered a cross that Ramos almost converted before levelling from the spot to draw the scores level. AFP
Rafa Silva 6 – Found himself with a yard to shoot following a neat lay off from Aursnes, but he leaned back and blazed over. He was later caught by Verratti in the box in a challenge that led to Benfica’s equaliser. AFP
Rafa Silva 6 – Found himself with a yard to shoot following a neat lay off from Aursnes, but he leaned back and blazed over. He was later caught by Verratti in the box in a challenge that led to Benfica’s equaliser. AFP
Fredrik Aursnes 7 – A nuisance in the fast half, finding pockets of space in the PSG area. Did well to cause havoc between the lines. AFP
Fredrik Aursnes 7 – A nuisance in the fast half, finding pockets of space in the PSG area. Did well to cause havoc between the lines. AFP
Goncalo Ramos 6 – Found opportunities at a premium, but he came close with a header following Mario’s cross. His glanced effort finished just wide of the post. AFP
Goncalo Ramos 6 – Found opportunities at a premium, but he came close with a header following Mario’s cross. His glanced effort finished just wide of the post. AFP
SUBS: Gilberto (Bah 63') 5 – His biggest contribution was a headed clearance that also saw him clean out Sergio Ramos at the same time. AFP
SUBS: Gilberto (Bah 63') 5 – His biggest contribution was a headed clearance that also saw him clean out Sergio Ramos at the same time. AFP
Rodrigo Pinho (Ramos 78') N/A – Not quite the presence in attack Benfica needed against PSG’s disciplined defence. EPA
Rodrigo Pinho (Ramos 78') N/A – Not quite the presence in attack Benfica needed against PSG’s disciplined defence. EPA
Julian Draxler (Silva 78') N/A – The German returned to his former club and came close with a late effort that was blocked expertly by Marquinhos. EPA
Julian Draxler (Silva 78') N/A – The German returned to his former club and came close with a late effort that was blocked expertly by Marquinhos. EPA
Diogo Goncalves (Luis, 78) N/A – Benfica were weakened by Luis’ departure, but Goncalves ensured Benfica remained hard to break down / Chiquinho (Mario, 90) N/A – A late change as the visitors doubled down for the point. EPA
Diogo Goncalves (Luis, 78) N/A – Benfica were weakened by Luis’ departure, but Goncalves ensured Benfica remained hard to break down / Chiquinho (Mario, 90) N/A – A late change as the visitors doubled down for the point. EPA

Only Napoli have scored more than Benfica’s 23 goals, while no quarter-finalist has registered fewer than the 11 netted by Inter, who got past Benfica's rivals Porto in the last 16.

Benfica will be relying heavily on striker Goncalo Ramos, whose 17 goals in 23 games in the Portuguese top flight have helped them open up a seven-point gap at the top of the table.

The 21-year-old forward made a big impact at the World Cup in December when he was picked to start for Portugal ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo in the last 16 against Switzerland.

Ramos hit a hat-trick as his country thrashed their opponents 6-1.

In March, he shone against Club Brugge in the Champions League last-16 second leg, scoring a brace in the 5-1 win to guide Benfica into the quarter-finals.

"I am very satisfied with Gonçalo Ramos, but not only for what he did against Club Brugge," said Benfica coach Roger Schmidt.

"I love his attitude. He is young, he is scoring goals in the Champions League and it is normal for him to attract the attention of other clubs."

Schmidt will need to make changes to his defence as right-back Alexander Bah was injured against Porto and Nicolás Otamendi is suspended. Gilberto is set to replace Bah while Brazilian central defender Morato is likely to come in for Otamendi.

RESULTS

Welterweight

Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) beat Mostafa Radi (PAL)

(Unanimous points decision)

Catchweight 75kg

Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR) beat Leandro Martins (BRA)

(Second round knockout)

Flyweight (female)

Manon Fiorot (FRA) beat Corinne Laframboise (CAN)

(RSC in third round)

Featherweight

Bogdan Kirilenko (UZB) beat Ahmed Al Darmaki

(Disqualification)

Lightweight

Izzedine Al Derabani (JOR) beat Rey Nacionales (PHI)

(Unanimous points)

Featherweight

Yousef Al Housani (UAE) beat Mohamed Fargan (IND)

(TKO first round)

Catchweight 69kg

Jung Han-gook (KOR) beat Max Lima (BRA)

(First round submission by foot-lock)

Catchweight 71kg

Usman Nurmogamedov (RUS) beat Jerry Kvarnstrom (FIN)

(TKO round 1).

Featherweight title (5 rounds)

Lee Do-gyeom (KOR) v Alexandru Chitoran (ROU)

(TKO round 1).

Lightweight title (5 rounds)

Bruno Machado (BRA) beat Mike Santiago (USA)

(RSC round 2).

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GIANT REVIEW

Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan

Director: Athale

Rating: 4/5

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Cons: Love
Pens: Love 3

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Tries: Kenny, Crombie, Tantoh
Cons: Phillips
Pens: Phillips 2

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Updated: April 11, 2023, 3:36 AM
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