Inter vs. Eintracht, UEFA Cup nights guide the way

MILAN - European nights at San Siro are always special. On Thursday, Eintracht Frankfurt will play at the Stadio Meazza for the first time in European competition. After it finished 0-0 in the first leg, our guys will need to win in order to make the quarter-finals of the Europa League. Match-ups between Inter and German sides on the European stage are always big occasions with lots at stake, let’s take a look back at previous meetings where the atmosphere generated at San Siro has pushed the team over the line. 

It’s impossible to not look back to 1998 when Gigi Simoni’s team in their hooped shirts lifted the UEFA Cup. On 3 March, Schalke 04 came to San Siro with a desire to get revenge for what happened the year before. Ronaldo was in full Fenomeno-mode to terrorise the German defence, with one of the Brazilian’s shots slipping through the hands of Lehmann to win a very tough game 1-0. In the second leg, Inter needed extra-time to eventually progress to the semi-finals. The Nerazzurri would go on to beat Spartak Moscow over two legs in the semi-final before winning the final in Paris against Lazio.

In 2000, it was Hertha Berlin who we knocked out at San Siro. It was the second leg in the Third Round after a goalless draw in Berlin, so it’s identical to the situation with Frankfurt. On St Ambrose’s Day, Inter made it through thanks to goals from Recoba and Hakan Sukur. Inter took an early lead through the Chino, who got away from the goalkeeper after a Vieri assist. Things then went downhill after the Germans equalised and it seemed as though a 1-1 draw would be enough to take them through on away goals. That was until the 89th minute, when Di Biagio played the ball up to Hakan Sukur who brought the ball down and applied the finish to send Inter through.

Two matches that evoke great memories ahead of Thursday's clash at San Siro against Eintracht.