10 years ago greatness was achieved at the Camp Nou: Inter made it to the Champions League Final

Team

— Apr 28th 2020

3 MIN READING

On 28 April 2010 the Nerazzurri lost 1-0 to Barcelona but qualified for the final

MILAN – Ten years ago. Ten years ago, Inter played out the longest 96 minutes in its history. Ten years ago, Inter progressed to the Champions League Final and celebrated the sweetest defeat ever: Barcelona 1-0 Inter in the semi-final second leg after a 3-1 win at San Siro eight days earlier.

History made, or rather, legend. All the talk was about the “Remuntada” in Barcelona: “we can do it” was the blaugrana’s proclamation. Mourinho’s Inter were strong in the 3-1 first-leg win and they had to be even stronger at the Camp Nou, especially after Pandev’s last minute injury with Chivu being called up at the last minute. It was a tough, gritty match in which the Nerazzurri displayed nerves of steel.

There are moments of that game that blur the lines between memory and myth. Julio Cesar’s save from Messi’s left-footed strike is one of the finest moments of the Brazilian ‘keepers career. Let’s not forget Samuel and Lucio’s defensive resolve, the legs of Muntari, Cordoba and Mariga and Eto’o chasing every ball, never giving up an inch. It was an enormous effort that was made even tougher by Thiago Motta’s red card in the 28th minute of the game after Busquets made the most of the contact.

There were almost 100,000 people there at the Camp Nou, with a mass of Nerazzurri fans high up in the furthest section of the stands from the pitch, but they were close in heart and spirit. 73% possession for the Catalans, 14 shots against two, nine corners against two: these are the stats from a game whose scoreline only changed in the 84th minute thanks to Piqué’s goal. And then, time seemed to stop in added time as Bojan scored and our hearts skipped a beat, but only to be ruled out: the most reassuring whistle we’ve ever heard.

What a night. José Mourinho’s run down the touchline alongside Gabriele Oriali to salute the Nerazzurri fans, the players’ embraces, a mixture of absolute fatigue and elation: a night that will be forever etched in our memory.

Ten years ago, Inter progressed to its fifth ever Champions League Final in the Club’s history. Madrid would provide the next scene for the final showdown against Bayern Munich on 22 May.

BARCELLONA 1-0 INTER

Scorer: 84' PiquéBarcelona: 1 Valdes; 2 Dani Alves, 24 Tourè, 3 Piqué, 18 G. Milito (46' Maxwell); 16 Busquets (63' Jeffren), 6 Xavi, 15 Keita; 10 Messi, 9 Ibrahimovic (63' Bojan), 17 PedroSubstitutes: 13 Pinto, 4 Marquez, 14 Henry, 34 AlcantaraCoach: Joseph Guardiola.Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 6 Lucio, 25 Samuel, 4 Zanetti; 19 Cambiasso, 8 Thiago Motta; 9 Eto'o (86' Mariga) 10 Sneijder (67' Muntari), 26 Chivu; 22 Milito (81' Cordoba)Substitutes: 1 Toldo, 23 Materazzi, 45 Balotelli, 89 ArnautovicCoach: José MourinhoReferee: Frank De BleeckereYellow Cards: 10' Thiago Motta, 27' Pedro, 35' Julio Cesar, 43' Chivu, 83' Muntari, 83' Lucio.Red Cards: 28' Thiago Motta.Added time: 2', 4'.Spectators: 98.000