Former Inter midfielder Stephane Dalmat believes that the Nerazzurri’s season is virtually at stake in this evening’s Champions League quarterfinal second leg match against Benfica.
Speaking on his Instagram account, via FCInterNews, the Frenchman stressed that this will basically be the do or die match for Inter given the opportunity that they have to book their place in the penultimate stage of Europe’s top club competition.
Inter have a two-goal advantage from the first leg of their quarterfinal tie against Benfica in Lisbon, and this makes it feel all the more as though the next round of the competition is in reach.
This will be all the more the case given that the Nerazzurri are playing at the San Siro.
If Inter can get over the hurdle this evening, then they’ll know that city rivals AC Milan await them in the semifinals of the competition.
This would certainly be a hugely memorable climax to the season, and could even allow them progression into the biggest match in European club competition, the Champions League final.
All of this comes in the midst of a highly erratic league campaign, which has seen Inter lose a whopping eleven matches out of their first thirty, leaving their hopes of finishing in the top four of the league table hanging on by a thread.
As such, the significance of this evening’s match is well and truly magnified for the Nerazzurri, something which former midfielder Dalmat is certainly feeling.
“Tonight is a very important match, Inter’s season is at stake in this match,” the Frenchman said.
“Let’s hope that they’ve forgotten about he defeat against Monza.”
“We have a two-goal lead, but we can’t just let ourselves be put under pressure.”
“We need to play calmly, without problems, and reach the semifinals,” Dalmat said.
“I have a dream – a rematch of the 2003 semifinals, which we lost.”
“Today we have the chance, I’m confident!” Dalmat said.
“Tonight I’ll be sitting in front my TV, and I hope that I’m happy at the end of the match.”
