Mission is not impossible: Benfica's coach won't allow his players to surrender at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza

Some would say that Benfica face an impossible mission tonight in the UEFA Champions League. They lost the home leg of their quarter-final against Inter by two goals and will have to do something they've never done in their history if they want to sneak into the last four.

It a battle against history - and not only against Inter. Only two teams came back ever came back after losing the home leg by two or more goals: Ajax did it in 1969 (ironically, against Benfica), and Manchester United succeeded after losing to PSG at Old Trafford in 2019. If Benfica are ever to get their first victory in Milan - tonight would be a good time.

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Liga Portugal giants have managed to overturn a home deficit in European games six times in their proud history. Making it seven in Italy would be out of this world - but their head coach Roger Schmidt spent the biggest part of the week convincing his players they are better than their opponents and they can prove it with the world watching.

"What we did with the same players throughout the season, we played very good games against good teams. Did you see the statistics? They were good. Even with Inter it was balanced in the statistics, it wasn't a clear 2-0 to them. We have reasons to believe in ourselves. We should have a lot of confidence after everything we've achieved this season."

The hosts will be without star centre-back Milan Skriniar due to a back injury. Stefan de Vrij was supposed to replace him, but he picked up an injury of his own when Inter lost to Monza last week. As a result, coach Simone Inzaghi will probably use the CB pairing of Bastoni and Acerbi. Romelu Lukaku delivered another disappointing performance in the league so Edin Dzeko will likely start alongside Lautaro Martinez against the Portuguese.

Roger Smidt will welcome veteran Argentinean defender Nicolas Otamendi back into the starting eleven, but former PSG attacking midfielder Julian Draxler and Danish defender Alexander Bah are out injured.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Quarter-final, second leg

Tuesday

Chelsea - Real Madrid 0-2 (0-0) /first leg 0-2/

/Rodrygo 58, 80/

Napoli - Milan 1-1 (0-1) /first leg 0-1/

/Osimhen 90+3 - Giroud 43/

Wednesday

22.00: (2.25) Inter (3.50) Benfica (3.40) /first leg 2-0/

22.00: (2.85) Bayern (3.60) Man.City (2.55) /first leg 0-3/

***odds are subject to change***