Inter and Benfica prepare to meet for the second consecutive season in the UEFA Champions League, with the Italian side winning 2-0 away in the quarter-final first leg before a 3-3 draw at home. However, one campaign down the lane, the sides come into clash with different squads, with Angel Di Maria a major addition to the visiting side tonight.
Benfica winger Di Maria spoke to Sky Italia (via Tuttomercatoweb) and made it clear the Portuguese are eyeing a first victory in the continental competition this season after opening defeat to Salzburg.
“We come to the match against Inter after winning the O Clasico against Porto. It will be another great match, and we are in a good moment. We are playing well, we train the way the club asks us, and this is the most important thing.”
The former Juventus forward anticipates a difficult game against the Nerazzurri.
“With Inter, it will be a game in itself, it’s a Champions League match against a finalist from last edition that’s leading the league now. The Nerazzurri are also going through an excellent moment. It’s difficult to talk only about this or that player, because Inter have many high-quality players and we will all have to give 100% to get a good result.”
He then reflected on his maiden experience in Italy in the last campaign.
“I experienced Italian football last year: it’s a fantastic environment, very passionate. But we have to stay 100% focused on ourselves.”
Benfica arrive at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza unbeaten in their last 10 away games in European competitions (W6, D4) but remain winless against Inter in five meetings.
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