Inter relishing dream European run as derby dates beckon

MILAN, Italy — Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi described his team's run to the Champions League semifinals as a dream and said the team will give all it has against city rival AC Milan as they battle to become the first Italian finalist for six years.

Inzaghi could not hide his excitement after Inter drew 3-3 with Benfica in their second leg on Wednesday to win their quarterfinal 5-3 on aggregate, reaching the Champions League semis for the first time since it won the trophy 13 years ago.

After Nicolo Barella's opener for Inter, Fredrik Aursnes restored some hope for Benfica shortly before halftime. But Lautaro Martinez and substitute Joaquin Correa netted in the second half to help Inter reach its first semifinal since Jose Mourinho led it to the treble of the Champions League, Serie A and Italian Cup in 2010.

"My boys? They were historic," Inzaghi told Inter TV when asked about his players' performance.

"It's historic, because of what they are doing, reaching both the Champions League and Coppa Italia semifinals.

"We know that some points were left on the road in the Italian league, but it's mostly because of a crazy schedule.

"When we were drawn in a group with Bayern and Barcelona back in August, we were very, very far away."

Inter won Europe's top club competition for the third time in 2010 and was the last Italian side to triumph with Juventus losing the 2015 and 2017 finals.

The Milan teams have met twice in the Champions League knockout stages, the 2002-03 semis and 2004-05 quarterfinals with AC Milan, seven-time European champion, winning both ties.

"We deserved to reach this semifinal. It was a dream but now we're here and we'll play it big," said Inzaghi, whose side reached the knockouts by coming through a group that also included Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

"I'm happy for the lads and their journey. We started from a very difficult group with Bayern and Barca but we were good, united together with the fans, who helped us a lot.

"We work every day to live these days that have been missing here at Inter for many years. We know what this derby represents for everyone here. We are happy and we will play it in the best way."

Inter and AC Milan will clash at the San Siro in the first leg on May 10 and on May 16 in the second leg. The winner will face Real Madrid or Manchester City, who meet in the semifinals for the second consecutive season.

"It's a very special match, we know what it means to play a match of this sort," Inter forward Martinez said. "Now we have to pick up points again in Serie A and then we'll think about the Champions League. I play this sport to win everything."

Benfica coach Roger Schmidt could not hide his disappointment after the elimination.

"We are disappointed because I think at the start we showed that we still believed we could reach the semifinal," Schmidt said. "We started very well but after the first goal it was difficult because that makes everything even more difficult.

"I think our team showed a very good attitude today, very good focus and very good mentality … we tried to push in the second half but then we conceded a goal and I think we were also not very lucky with the decisions."

Agencies