Supremazia rianimata - VIVA INTER!!

23rd May, 2010.

Over half a year of pulsating clashes, excitement, amazing goals, rivalries relived, cries of pain, cries of joy - it all boiled down to this very night. "THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINALE!!" The Santiago Bernabeu - The mecca for Real Madrid lit up to a staggering 80,000 plus fans. Bayern Munchen, The German Champions up against the Nerazurris - The Italian double winners. And there stood a 90 minute story to unfold!!

The Special one against his former boss - this encounter was one special affair. Louis Van Gaal was up against his prodigy, José Mário dos Santos Félix Mourinho, better known as the self-proclaimed "Special One!" The bird's eye view of the Bernabeu was an absolute treat to the eye. And as all UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE opening ceremonies stand, even this was one of the best. The Champions League Trophy coming out of the cabinet as the players marched on to face what could be history in the making, was a goosebumps extravaganza.

Internazionale had a reason to smile - Lucio, the Brazilian center-back was to full fitness, a boost for the Nerazzuri faithful.  Bayern on the other hand were without their play-maker, Frank Ribery who was red-carded for his horrific tackle on course to the final against Lyon (You get what you deserve,makes up for the Red-card you reprimanded for Rafael against United  \m/). Both sides looking to mark their supremacy on the European frontier, having conquered domestic glory.

The game was a meaty affair, tackles flying in, chances being squandered, but Hitler's army was having the fair share. The possession for the first half, Bayern 67 %, where as my team (For THIS night), Inter managed a meager 37%. The best chance of the first half fell to the former Bernabeu man - Wesley Sneijder. A free-kick, and the Dutchman shot a hammer which deflected off Hamit Altintop's head, Butt pulling off a terrific save. After this the game went through a rather lackluster phase where both teams looked to cut-off each other. It was more of a KEEP THE BALL game, one I as a Mourinho ardent never wanted.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man, 34 minutes in, an Argentine bomb hit the deck -  DIEEEEGGOOO MILITO collected a superb cut-through pass from the FIND OF SEASON for Inter, the former Galacticos star - Sneijder, tipping off a cool goal after a nice little dummy. VIVA INTER - The Men in Blue and Black were towards where they belonged - GLORY LAND!! Half time, the Germans trailed the Nerazurris by a crucial goal to nil.

The second part of the story started with a bang. Just as both teams came out, Bayern looked to capitalise when Muller pushed Cesar into a save, the first time the Inter custodian was tested. The very next minute,there was mayhem at the Bayern end. Milito slid in a panache ball to Eto'o who failed to make a mark. The game that looked dull, finally started living upto those thousands expectant in the stadium and for those millions watching at home.

The tide of the wave now shifted the Italians way. With every chance they made they looked like scoring and the Germans looked mere spectators. Louis Van Gaal must have been a bereaved man to let go off Jose, for thats how he paid him back. Another swift move by Inter and it was DEJAVU time baby!! 70th minute, an awe-inspiring touch of genius by the lanky Argentine Milito, and Inter went two nil up. My joy knew no bounds, (Though I still wanted United to be here, :p), but beating the Germans was all the more better.

Full-time whistle and the Inter army drained themselves in a pool of joy. Cries of contentment, emotions captured of once in a lifetime, the Santiago Bernabeu stood tall to applaud the new EUROPEAN MASTERS - The Special One's - INTERNZIONALE!! VIVA LA ITALIA!!