Midfielder Chiquinho believes that Benfica can overturn their 2-0 first-leg deficit against Inter by scoring three goals at San Siro.
Inter’s victory in Lisbon, thanks to Nicolo Barella’s 51st-minute header and Romelu Lukaku’s penalty in the 82nd minute, made them the big favourites to advance from the Champions League quarter-final tie.
Benfica had more shots than Inter (12 to nine) and finished with a higher expected goals value (1.7 compared to 1.6), yet they now face a tough challenge in the return fixture in Italy next week.
Chiquinho’s side had better statics comparing to Inter, but Nerazzuri was able to score goals
Despite losing for just the fourth time all season, with two of those losses coming in the past five days, Chiquinho is still confident that the Primeira Liga leaders can progress.
“We knew it was going to be a difficult game against a team with quality,” he said. “The game was even. We had our opportunities to score and we didn’t.
“We haven’t lost anything, even though Inter managed to score twice. We’re going to Milan and we’re going to do our best to win.”
Chiquinho added: “If they’ve scored two goals here, we’re also able to go there and score two or three. That’s why we’re going there, and we’re going to give it all we’ve got.”
Benfica went unbeaten in the group stage, finishing above Paris Saint-Germain and eliminating Juventus, before thrashing Club Brugge 7-1 in the last 16.
However, they have not managed to win against Inter in their last four encounters, having drawn one and lost three of those matches.
Substitute Lukaku sealed Inter’s latest triumph on Tuesday at Estadio da Luz by scoring a late penalty, which was awarded after Joao Mario handled Denzel Dumfries’ cross.
