Milito magic powers Inter to Euro summit
Source: Agencies |
May 24, 2010, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
INTER Milan's 2-0 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League final will be remembered more for Diego Milito's two brilliant goals and the sub-plots and intrigues surrounding the game rather than the football.
Staged in Real Madrid's awe-inspiring Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, UEFA President Michel Platini's idea of switching the final from a Wednesday to a Saturday night lent even more drama to the event than usual. The noisy, rollicking input from both sets of fans created an unforgettable atmosphere.
A moment of shared respect summed up the essential bonhomie of the occasion and it came when Milito, waving at the crowd in celebration, suddenly realized he was waving at the Bayern fans. But instead of booing him the German supporters warmly applauded him back.
Inter defender Lucio, who used to play for Bayern, spent much of the post-match celebrations talking to his former teammates after crying tears of joy.
Inter coach Jose Mourinho hugged Bayern winger Arjen Robben - they were together for three years at Chelsea - during a short break of play in the first half.
Mourinho and Bayern boss Louis van Gaal, whose friendship goes back to their days together at Barcelona, even hugged before the end with Inter's victory all but assured.
While never a classic, it was still totally enthralling. Mourinho said his men "followed my instructions perfectly."
The bare facts show that Inter has become European champion for the third time, after a wait of 45 years since its second title in 1965, and Mourinho became only the third man to become European champion with two different clubs following his success with Porto in 2004.
Inter has also become the first Italian side to win the treble after winning the Serie A and Cup double earlier this month, and Milito himself has reached heights he could barely have imagined when he joined Inter at the start of the season.
The two goals he scored to beat Bayern capped an astonishing run of personal success after scoring the only goal against AS Roma when Inter won the Italian Cup on May 5, and the only goal last Sunday against Siena when it clinched the Serie A title.
Milito made his presence felt. He got the breakthrough after 35 minutes when he chose his spot perfectly after a long clearance upfield by goalkeeper Julio Cesar. He made the game safe 20 minutes from time by rounding Daniel van Buyten, switching feet and giving Hans-Jorg Butt no chance with a curling inswinger. Inter's fans and their players celebrated their long-awaited success for almost an hour after the game ended, while Mourinho only briefly joined the party - leaving center-stage to his players.
Staged in Real Madrid's awe-inspiring Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, UEFA President Michel Platini's idea of switching the final from a Wednesday to a Saturday night lent even more drama to the event than usual. The noisy, rollicking input from both sets of fans created an unforgettable atmosphere.
A moment of shared respect summed up the essential bonhomie of the occasion and it came when Milito, waving at the crowd in celebration, suddenly realized he was waving at the Bayern fans. But instead of booing him the German supporters warmly applauded him back.
Inter defender Lucio, who used to play for Bayern, spent much of the post-match celebrations talking to his former teammates after crying tears of joy.
Inter coach Jose Mourinho hugged Bayern winger Arjen Robben - they were together for three years at Chelsea - during a short break of play in the first half.
Mourinho and Bayern boss Louis van Gaal, whose friendship goes back to their days together at Barcelona, even hugged before the end with Inter's victory all but assured.
While never a classic, it was still totally enthralling. Mourinho said his men "followed my instructions perfectly."
The bare facts show that Inter has become European champion for the third time, after a wait of 45 years since its second title in 1965, and Mourinho became only the third man to become European champion with two different clubs following his success with Porto in 2004.
Inter has also become the first Italian side to win the treble after winning the Serie A and Cup double earlier this month, and Milito himself has reached heights he could barely have imagined when he joined Inter at the start of the season.
The two goals he scored to beat Bayern capped an astonishing run of personal success after scoring the only goal against AS Roma when Inter won the Italian Cup on May 5, and the only goal last Sunday against Siena when it clinched the Serie A title.
Milito made his presence felt. He got the breakthrough after 35 minutes when he chose his spot perfectly after a long clearance upfield by goalkeeper Julio Cesar. He made the game safe 20 minutes from time by rounding Daniel van Buyten, switching feet and giving Hans-Jorg Butt no chance with a curling inswinger. Inter's fans and their players celebrated their long-awaited success for almost an hour after the game ended, while Mourinho only briefly joined the party - leaving center-stage to his players.
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