10 years ago: Inter 1 - 0 Roma, the first piece of the treble jigsaw

MILAN – Where do dreams begin? When we wake up, it’s difficult to remember the precise moment when the images started to keep us company in our sleep. But we know when they’re no longer there, often because we’re suddenly jolted back awake.

However, ten years ago, the dream that nobody had dared to dream before began in a concrete manner. At a precise moment in time. The build-up had been long, tiring and exhilarating, even perhaps slightly daunting. Ten years ago, on 5 May 2010, the first of three building blocks needed to transform the most unthinkable dream into everlasting reality needed to be put in place. Timeless. 

TONIGHT AT 20:45 ON YOUTUBE WE'LL REWATCH THE FULL VERSION OF THE 2010 COPPA ITALIA FINAL

The Stadio Olimpico was the venue, Inter vs. Roma in the Coppa Italia final was the fixture. Nerves were high. The two teams were also vying to win the Scudetto title. It was, therefore, always going to be played with a competitive edge. Sneijder learnt this the hard way, with the Dutchman taking a hit with less than a minute on the clock and subsequently being replaced by Balotelli.

Inter looked to make their mark quickly with perfectly executed attacking manoeuvres. Maicon was the first to call Julio Sergio into action, while Milito fired past the goalkeeper not long after. But it didn’t count. Offside was the verdict, and so it remained 0-0. With Roma threatening, Julio Cesar was quick off his line on more than one occasion, alert and ready to get to the ball. A safe pair of hands. Also protecting the Inter goal was the centre-back pairing of Cordoba and Materazzi. That was until the Colombian was forced off before the half-time whistle. Samuel came on in his place.

Two enforced changes but no fear, despite the tackles which were flying in. After 40 minutes, Inter scored. An explosive bolt from the blue. It was like a cut made by the famous Italian artist Lucio Fontana, a black and blue slash which extended across half the pitch. Thiago Motta regained possession, threading the ball through with the outside of his left foot in the process. The beneficiary was The Prince, Diego Milito, who latched onto the ball, ran forward and, with technique and power, found the net with artistic brilliance.

Watching it back, there’s still this strange, nagging thought that he’s going to be caught or stopped. But, no. He wasn’t. The ball stayed glued to his feet, desperate attempts to deny him were to no avail. A first touch, a second, a third, a fourth. And, finally, a fifth: an unstoppable right-footed strike into the top corner. Magnificent. Cue wild celebrations as he ran towards the Nerazzurri fans in delight.

That Inter vs. Roma showdown wasn’t for the faint-hearted. An action-packed second half played at an even higher intensity followed. The battles raged all over the park, chances were created, and the fouls and cards totted up. Throughout the 90 minutes, eight yellows and one red card were handed out by referee Nicola Rizzoli. There were also a number of scares. But Julio Cesar continued to stand firm, while Inter were also thankful for Juan and Vucinic’s imprecision. The Nerazzurri did their own attacking too and put together a number of great team moves, like the one which set up Balotelli for a shooting opportunity. And not forgetting some eye-catching individual moments, like Eto’o’s lung-busting burst into the box.

Totti was sent off as tempers flared in a tense atmosphere, with unsavoury scenes also following after the final whistle. But Inter had won.

On 5 May 2010, Zanetti lifted the Nerazzurri’s sixth Coppa Italia trophy in the rain in Rome. The jigsaw puzzle had been started, but two more pieces were still needed to complete it. 

INTER 1-0 ROMA, 2010 Coppa Italia 

Goalscorer: 40' Milito

Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 2 Cordoba (39' Samuel), 23 Materazzi, 26 Chivu; 4 Zanetti, 19 Cambiasso, 8 Thiago Motta; 10 Sneijder (5' Balotelli, 93’ Muntari); 22 Milito, 9 Eto'o.Substitutes: 1 Toldo, 5 Stankovic, 7 Quaresma, 17 Mariga, 27 Pandev.Coach: José Mourinho.

Roma: 27 Julio Sergio; 29 Burdisso (46’ Motta), 5 Mexes, 4 Juan, 17 Riise; 16 De Rossi, 7 Pizarro (46’ Totti), 20 Perrotta; 11 Taddei, 30 Toni (63’ Menez), 9 Vucinic.Substitutes: 1 Lobont, 19 Baptista, 22 Tonetto, 33 Brighi.Coach: Claudio Ranieri.

Referee: Nicola Rizzoli.Bookings: 14' Burdisso, 35' Materazzi, 37' Perrotta, 45' Mexes, 45' Chivu, 52’ Samuel, 63’ Totti, 87’ Balotelli.Sent off: 88’ Totti.