Current Fatih Karagumruk coach and legendary former AC Milan, Juventus, and Inter midfielder Andrea Pirlo is expecting an even and unpredictable Champions League semifinal tie between Inter and Benfica.
Speaking to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview published in today’s print edition, via FCInterNews, the 43-year-old gave his prediction ahead of the Nerazzurri’s two-legged clash with the Portuguese league leaders in the last eight of Europe’s top club competition.
Whilst Inter may feel some modicum of relief at having missed out on the likes of Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid in the next round of the Champions League, they will hardly be underestimating the scale of the challenge they do face.
Roger Schmidt’s Benfica team are not only flying high atop the Portuguese domestic league table, but they have already eliminated Juventus from the group stage of the Champions League this season in addition to securing two deserved draws against Paris Saint-Germain.
Asked about the tie, Pirlo said that “The Portuguese team are the surprise package of the season.”
“They cannot be underestimated,” he continued, “Schmidt has got them playing an intense and dynamic high-tempo style of football.”
“However, under Simone Inzaghi Inter are a top team, and they can assert themselves against anyone,” Pirlo added.
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