The Italians, three-time winners, took a commanding quarter-final first leg lead on the Estadio da Luz, causing Benfica’s first defeat within the festival.
After a good first part, Barella headed house from Alessandro Bastoni’s go and exchange Romelu Lukaku netted the second one from the penalty spot past due on.
Roger Schmidt’s Benfica, aiming to succeed in the semi-finals for the primary time since 1990, weren’t in a position to place a glove at the guests, who managed the tempo of the sport.
Despite Inter’s deficient shape, they conjured a affected person, skilled show after they wanted it maximum.
Having scored two targets of their earlier 5 video games throughout all competitions, they controlled the similar tally in Lisbon with medical completing.
“It’s been one of our best games this season,” Inter midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan informed British broadcaster BT Sport.
“We were dominating all over the pitch. We were doubling up and were everywhere, helping each other and we got (rewarded) for it. We’ve done a great job.
“But it is nonetheless no longer over, we nonetheless have to stand them in per week and we understand it’s no longer going to be simple.”
Neither side was able to create clear chances in a tight opening period.
The closest Benfica came was Andre Onana blocking a Rafa Silva drive after Federico Dimarco accidentally headed the ball into his path in the box.
Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi hammered over from 30 yards at the other end.
The Italians had the opportunity to hit the hosts on the break after half an hour, but Lautaro Martinez played a poor pass which was blocked, with 37-year-old target man Edin Dzeko alone in space.
Alex Grimaldo smashed an effort wide from distance, with Benfica frustrated and unable to get striker Goncalo Ramos involved.
With Inter pressing high up the pitch, the Eagles could not hit their flowing best, or anything close to it.
Inter Milan broke the deadlock early in the second half when Barella headed Bastoni’s looping cross back across goal and into the bottom corner.
The goal crowned a superb performance from the Italy international, while Inter’s defense kept a sixth clean sheet in nine Champions League matches this season.
(AI images)
Schmidt sent on David Neres for midfielder Florentino in search of the equaliser, but Inter doubled their lead with eight minutes remaining.
João Mario, one of Benfica’s best players this season, handled Denzel Dumfries’ cross, gifting his former side a penalty.
Lukaku drilled it beyond the reach of Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos, answering some criticism of his recent form.
Coach Simone Inzaghi had selected Dzeko ahead of Lukaku after the Belgian had missed gilt-edged chances in recent weeks, but he did not miss in a high-pressure moment.
Benfica might have pulled a goal back deep in stoppage time but Onana made a fine save to deny Ramos, who seemed poised to score.
“I mentioned that we needed to come right here and play with out worry as a result of lets win — we did simply that,” Onana told UEFA,
“But we can not assume that we’re already within the semi-finals as a result of we aren’t. We nonetheless want any other nice sport like as of late’s subsequent week.”
The victory gives Inter a fine chance of setting up an all-Italian semi-final against Serie A leaders Napoli or city rivals AC Milan.
Inter, who beat another Portuguese side, Porto, in the last 16, host Benfica on Wednesday April 19 at the San Siro in the second leg.
Benfica defender Antonio Silva said he believes his team can go to Milan and score three to produce a comeback.
“We deserved extra and we had the chance for it, the truthful consequence used to be a draw,” Silva told Portuguese broadcaster Eleven.
“This is the primary a part of the tie. We are going to do the entirety we will in Milan and we need to ranking no less than 3 targets to win and undergo.”