Inter Milan started a fierce battle with Inter Milan at home in the early hours of Thursday (20th), and finally drew 3-3, with a total score of 5-3 in the two rounds to qualify for the UEFA Europa League quarterfinals. The win puts Inter in the UEFA quarterfinals after 13 years, and with a semi-final against city rivals AC Milan on the horizon, a repeat of the classic "Milan Beatdown" 20 years ago will undoubtedly give the players extra motivation.
Inter took a 2-0 lead in the first leg, and the match started in the same way, with Nicolò Ballena opening the scoring in the 14th minute with a pinpoint shot, while Benfica equalized in the 38th minute with Osnis. The match was resumed with a goal each from Nadalu Martinez and Zoya Quincoglia, and it looked like it was all set for the match, but Inter were forced to settle for a 3-3 draw with two goals from Benfica in the closing stages of the match. Nevertheless, the aggregate score remained 5-3 and Inter progressed.
The last time Inter made it to the UEFA quarterfinals was back in 2010 in the "treble" season, and the last time they played "Milan in the UEFA quarterfinals" was back in 2003, when AC Milan made it to the final by virtue of their away goal advantage and won the title with a 12-yard victory over Juventus on penalties. AC Milan won the final with a 12-yard victory over Juventus in a penalty shootout. After the match, Inter's coach Szymon Nyszewski said: "The UEFA Europa League quarterfinals is an achievement we've been dreaming of for a long time. We've waited too long and the road to the final was extremely difficult, but both Milan teams played very well, and this game will inspire us to work even harder for the win."
