Legendary former Inter forward Sandro Mazzola is confident that the Nerazzurri can do something special in the Champions League ahead of this evening’s quarterfinal first leg match against Benfica.
Speaking to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, the former forward also looked back on his own Inter side’s clashes with the Lisbon giants during the 1960s when they won the European Cup.
Inter’s trip to the Estadio da Luz to face Benfica this evening sees two of Europe’s giants meet in a fixture steeped in history.
The Nerazzurri and the Aguias are both former winners of the competition, having respectively made up some of Europe’s finest footballing sides over the years.
This season, both have saved some of their best form for the Champions League.
Whilst Inter’s season has not gone according to plan in Serie A, the Nerazzurri’s exploits in the Champions League have been impressive as they’ve overcome the likes of Barcelona and Porto to reach the last eight of the competition.
Meanwhile, Benfica have booked their place in the quarterfinals with wins over Juventus and two well-deserved draws with Paris Saint-Germain in the group stage, followed by an aggregate 7-1 thrashing of Club Brugge in the round of sixteen which mirrors their outstanding domestic form.
Therefore, both of the two sides be well aware of the massive challenge posed by this evening’s match.
For Mazzola’s part, however, the Nerazzurri icon has faith in his former team on the basis of what they’ve already done this season under the brightest lights in Europe.
Looking back at his own Inter team’s heroics against Benfica in the 1960s, the former forward said that “Our Inter can’t be compared to this one for a thousand reasons.”
“We were a top side, unique, but I believe that Inzaghi’s team can also do great things,” he added.
“They’ve shown it already, and they can also rely on an excellent midfield.”
