The 2010 Champions League final stands out as a truly memorable event in football history. Italian team Inter Milan secured their third Champions League title, ending a 45-year wait. This victory was the culmination of Massimo Moratti`s long-term ownership. He took charge of the club in 1995, driven by the ambition to restore Inter to the top of European football, echoing his father Angelo`s success with the club in the past.
Despite investing in star players like Ronaldo in 1997, Moratti`s Champions League dream remained unfulfilled until he appointed José Mourinho. In his second and final season, Mourinho achieved remarkable success with Inter, winning the Champions League, Serie A, and Coppa Italia. Inter became the first Italian team to achieve this treble. Their journey to the Champions League final included winning the Coppa Italia against Roma and securing the Serie A title, both thanks to crucial goals from Diego Milito. On May 22nd, Inter faced Bayern Munich in Madrid for the Champions League final.
The Path to the Final
Interestingly, both Inter and Bayern Munich entered the final with the potential to win the treble. However, their routes to the final were different. Bayern had a straightforward group stage, while Inter navigated a tougher group, needing a dramatic late comeback against Dynamo Kiev to progress. In the knockout stages, Bayern defeated Fiorentina, Manchester United, and Lyon. Inter overcame Chelsea, CSKA Moscow, and in a thrilling semi-final, Barcelona, who were then dominating football under Pep Guardiola. Inter won the first leg 3-1 in Milan and then withstood intense pressure to lose only 1-0 at Camp Nou, advancing to the final.
Mourinho became a hero for Inter fans and also for Real Madrid supporters by preventing Barcelona from winning the Champions League final in Madrid. Shortly after the victory, Mourinho moved to Real Madrid. In 2019, he explained that he chose to leave Milan immediately after the final to avoid the emotional pull of celebrating in Milan, which might have made it harder to accept the Real Madrid job.
Bayern Munich also had a strong Champions League campaign under Louis van Gaal. Van Gaal and Mourinho had previously worked together at Barcelona. Showing respect for his former mentor, Mourinho greeted Van Gaal before the final in Madrid, where Inter won 2-0, with Diego Milito scoring both goals.
The Lineups in Madrid
Both teams had key players missing for the final. Bayern were without Franck Ribery due to suspension, and Inter missed Thiago Motta, who was suspended after the semi-final against Barcelona.
Bayern Munich XI: Hans-Jörg Butt; Philipp Lahm, Daniel Van Buyten, Martin Demichelis, Holger Badstuber; Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mark van Bommel, Hamit Altıntop, Arjen Robben, Thomas Müller: Ivica Olić.
Inter XI: Julio Cesar; Maicon, Walter Samuel, Lucio, Christian Chivu; Estaban Cambiasso, Javier Zanetti; Goran Pandev, Wesley Sneijder, Samuel Eto`o; Diego Milito.
Aftermath of the Final
After the final, Inter returned to Milan without Mourinho, who stayed in Madrid to finalize his move to Real Madrid. Inter appointed Rafa Benitez, who was replaced in December. Leonardo then took over, and Inter faced Bayern again in the Champions League round of 16 in 2010-11, winning 3-2 in Munich but were later eliminated by Schalke 04. Inter won the Coppa Italia that season but then struggled for several years. Massimo Moratti stepped down as owner, and after changes in ownership, the club returned to success, winning Serie A in 2021, 11 years after their treble.
For Bayern Munich, the 2010-11 season was disappointing, leading to van Gaal`s dismissal. Jupp Heynckes returned and reached the 2011-12 Champions League final, losing to Chelsea. However, in 2012-13, Heynckes led Bayern to a treble, including winning the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.
