Italian journalist Paolo Condo believes that Inter played virtually the “perfect match” against Benfica in yesterday evening’s Champions League quarterfinal first leg.

Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, via FCInter1908, the journalist praised the Nerazzurri’s performance at the Estadio da Luz, and suggested that they have outdone even the match that they played against Barcelona earlier on in the season.

It does seem to have become something of a theme that Inter have saved some of their best performances for the Champions League this season.

This was certainly the case with both group stage matches against Barcelona, whether the win against the Blaugranas at the San Siro or a wild 3-3 draw away at the Camp Nou.

Whilst Benfica may not have quite the stature in Europe that Barcelona do in recent decades, there is no doubt that this season the Lisbon-based side have hardly been far off of the Blaugranas in terms of the quality they’ve shown, both domestically and in Europe.

In fact, the Aguias had gone twelve matches without losing in the Champions League prior to yesterday evening, taking into consideration the qualifying matches that they had also played.

Accordingly, Inter’s victory was a massive statement, and from the perspective of Italian journalist Condo, they have gone past even their achievements against Barcelona from the fall, making this the high point of their season to date.

“When they’re playing in midweek, Inter seem to double in quality,” the journalist suggested of the Nerazzurri’s exploits in the Champions League this season, “it’s a very clear reality.”

“Thanks to the great work by the whole team, they played a perfect match [at the Estadio da Luz yesterday evening],” he continued.

“Up until now, the best moment of their season was against Barcelona, but now they’ve surpassed that,” Condo continued.