Joaquin Correa ended a 172-day goal drought to help Inter on their way past Benfica and into the Champions League semi-final for the first time in 13 years on Wednesday evening.
The Argentine has only registered four goals so far since his move from Lazio was made permanent in the summer and had not found the net for the Nerazzurri since the 3-0 win over Sampdoria at San Siro on October 29.
Within two minutes after coming off the bench against Benfica, however, the 28-year-old chopped his way into a goalscoring opportunity and dispatched a bending shot perfectly into the far corner of the net.
In celebration, Correa gestured to the Inter supporters by lifting his finger to his ear, although claims that there was no controversy intended.
When asked about the celebration, Correa replied: “Conversational celebration? No, absolutely not. I saw my family who always accompany me. The goal was for them. For me it was important in light of the moment I was going through.
“It’s nice that Lautaro scored too. The forwards smile more when they put the ball in the net.”
“It was very important to reach the semi-final. It was a dream and we deserved it. In the dressing room we were a little disappointed with the two goals we conceded in the final stages, but now we’re looking to the league.
“We need to win again because we’re a little behind in the standings.”
Despite their recent success in Europe, Inter are lacking in Serie A and slipped out of the top four after last weekend’s loss at home to Monza.
The Nerazzurri will either need to turn around their league form, or go all the way to winning the Champions League final if they are to qualify for next year’s edition of the competition.
“Right now we’re all happy,” Correa continued. “The group is giving everything, even if things don’t go the way we want in the league.
“But if we find a way to always play like this, we’ll do a lot of good things in this next month and a half. Unfortunately we haven’t been very consistent so far, but we want to end the season on a high note.
“Of course, you have to dream otherwise things don’t come true.”