Inter recovered from a 3-0 defeat and froze Benfica, giving Real Sociedad a chance

Inter lost to Benfica by three goals in Luz, but didn’t give up and got back into the game in the second half and earned a draw 3-3 for his 5th matchday 4th group the Champions League and left the Lusitanians behind in the fight for the Europa League.

Joao Mario scored a hat-trick for the home team against his former club 35 minutes ago as he was constantly in the opposition area and was forgotten by the visitors’ defenders. In the 5th minute he scored the first goal, in the 13th minute he made it 2-0 and in the 34th minute he seemed to seal the victory for Benfica.

Simone Inzaghi fielded a lineup with plenty of substitutes after qualifying for the Derby d’Italia against Juventus. At the beginning of the second half, however, his players showed their teeth and, with Marko Arnautovic and Davide Fratezi, shortened the game to one goal.

The Italians’ successive goals failed to give Roger Schmidt’s team any momentum, Inter continued to miss chances and substitute Marcus Thuram scored a penalty in the 72nd minute. Alexis Sanchez did well to take the point for his side, a task made easier by Antonio Silva’s late dismissal.

• BENFICA: Trumbin, Oursnes, A. Silva, Otamendi, Morato, Luis (79′ Ketsiou), Neves, Di Maria (89′ Arauzo), R. Silva, Mario (90+9′ Sicinio), Tengstedt (79′ Musa)
• INTER: Audero, Bisek, De Frei (77′ Dimarco), Acerbi, Darmian (68′ Cuadrado), Fratezi, Aslani, Klaassen (68′ Barela), Augusto, Arnautovic (68′ Turam), Sanchez (79′ Martines)

Real Sociedad didn’t take advantage of the opportunity

THE Real company failed to overcome their resistance Salzburg in San Sebastian and with the 0-0 missed the chance to take the lead at the top of the group in their duel with Inter, as the Austrians remained in 3rd place ahead of Benfica.

The Basques stepped on the gas from the start and, despite having players like Takefusa Kubo and Mikel Merino on the bench, had good ball circulation and managed to create dangerous moments in front of the Austrian goal.

Alexander Slager was the guests’ standout player due to his interventions, be it on Beniat Turrientes or Mikel Oyarthabal.

Mohamed Shaw, who was supposed to lead the home attack, did not make his presence felt and Imanol Alguathil threw all the attacking weapons he had on the bench in the second half, but to no avail.

• REAL SOCIETY: Remiro, Ontriothola (74′ Traore), Eloustondo (46′ Pacheco), Thumbeldia, Munioth, Mendez (65′ Barenetsea), Thubimendi, Turrientes, Oyarthabal (80′ Sadik), Shaw (74′ Kubo), Zacharian
• SALZBURG: Slager, Dedic, Piatkowski, Pavlovic (46′ Morgala), Ulmer (85′ Baidu), Bindstrup, Capaldo, Sucic, Dorzel (62′ Conate), Gluch (78′ Forson), Ratkov (62′ Simic)

The results of the 5th matchday in the 4th group

• Benfica – Inter 3-3 (5′, 13′, 34′ Mario / 51′ Arnautovic, 58′ Fratezi, 72′ penalty. Sanchez)
• Real Sociedad – Salzburg 0-0

Full schedule and results

• Benfica – Salzburg 0-2 (15′ Simic, 51′ Gluch)
• Real Sociedad – Inter 1-1 (4′ Mendes / 87′ Martines)
• Salzburg – Real Sociedad 0-2 (7′ Oyarthabal, 27′ Mendes)
• Inter-Benfica 1:0 (62′ Turam)
• Inter-Salzburg 2-1 (19′ Sanchez, 64′ penalty. Tsalhanoglou / 57′ Gluck)
• Benfica – Real Sociedad 0-1 (63′ Mendes)
• Real Sociedad – Benfica 3-1 (6′ Merino, 11′ Oyarthambal, 21′ Barenetsea / 49′ R. Silva)
• Salzburg – Inter 0-1 (85′ pt. Martines)
• Benfica – Inter 3-3 (5′, 13′, 34′ Mario / 51′ Arnautovic, 58′ Fratezi, 72′ penalty. Sanchez)
• Real Sociedad – Salzburg 0-0
• 12.12. 22:00 O’clock Inter – Real Sociedad
• 12.12. 22:00 O’clock Salzburg – Benfica