Benitez reveals impressive Inter factor in win over Bayern Munich

MUNICH, GERMANY – APRIL 08: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Marcus Thuram during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between FC Bayern München and FC Internazionale Milano at Fussball Arena Muenchen on April 08, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Former Inter coach Rafael Benitez was impressed by the Nerazzurri’s ‘maturity’ against Bayern Munich: They seized the opportunity…’

The defending Serie A champions beat Bayern Munich 2-1 away in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday.

Benitez, a former Nerazzurri coach, revealed the most impressive Inter quality in their recent European victory.

“The maturity with which they approached the game,” Benitez told Gazzetta.

“Think about the anger and ferocity with which they scored the first goal, capitalising on Bayern’s flaws.

“Inter are a great team. After Thomas Muller’s equaliser, many others would have settled for managing the result. Not them,” the Spaniard continued.

“They seized the opportunity to push forward into open space because they have a team capable of overcoming physical issues. They were without Dimarco, Dumfries, Taremi, and Zielinski, but the quality is extraordinary.”

The return leg will be played at San Siro on April 16.

“Bayern are always Bayern, no matter what,” argued Benitez.

“They have Olise, Sané, Kane and even Kimmich, but they have already answered: Lautaro, Barella, Thuram and even Carlos Augusto. As it happened the other night, their mindset must send the same signals to their legs.”