UEFA Vice-President Zbigniew Boniek feels that it’s very significant that there is a good chance of a Serie A team being in the Champions League final, although he hardly considers it a foregone conclusion that Inter will get past Benfica.
Speaking to Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, the Polish former Roma and Juventus midfielder gave his thoughts on the draw which ensures that either Benfica will be in the final of Europe’s top competition, or an Italian side will.
The fact that three teams from Serie A reached the Champions League quarterfinals this season has already been seen as an important achievement for the Italian top flight, and yesterday’s draw for the round has made things look even better for teams from Italy.
All three Serie A teams are on one side of the draw, and given that one of the quarterfinal ties is between Napoli and AC Milan, there is a guarantee of at least one Italian team in the semifinals as well.
Meanwhile, if Inter were to beat Benfica over two legs, then there would be an all-Italian semifinal and a Serie A team in the final.
“If Inter are to beat Benfica, then there will be a Serie A team in the final for the first time in years,” Boniek noted.
“This is very important for the league, although it will still be tough so nothing should be taken for granted.”
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