Inter Milan celebrate their first European Cup victory since 1965
By Sam Lyon
Jose Mourinho wrote his name into the history books as Diego Milito inspired Inter Milan to Champions League glory against Bayern Munich at the Bernabeu.
Milito set Inter on their way against the run of play with a clipped finish.
And he wrapped up a win built on the foundations of a solid defence with a solo effort that saw Inter become the first Italian side to win the Treble.
It means Mourinho, who won the cup with Porto in 2004, becomes the third man in history to win it with two clubs.
He joins Ernst Happel and Ottmar Hitzfeld in earning that remarkable accolade - at the age of only 47 - and, in doing so, ends a wait of more than 45 years for the Nerazzurri to regain Europe's top prize.
That he did so by overcoming his mentor Louis van Gaal, with whom he worked at Barcelona in the 1990s, in the process only served to complete the ultimate season of personal vindication for the Portuguese.
 | 606: DEBATE They never looked like losing. Controlled football jimdoom |
If reports are to be believed, it is a triumph that will earn Mourinho the manager's position at arguably the world's biggest club, Real Madrid, this summer.
How fitting, then, that this triumph was earned at Real's magnificent Bernabeu stadium - and as Mourinho waved to the Inter fans after watching his side lift the trophy, it looked every inch a wave goodbye and confirmation this will prove the denouement of his career in Italy.
As for the match itself, while it might not have been one for the purists, as an occasion it was spectacular.
The decision to switch the match to a Saturday evening was fully justified as both sets of supporters rocked the Bernabeu from the first minute to the last.
And on the field, the fare was no less enthralling.
The build-up had been dominated by Van Gaal's and Arjen Robben's description of Mourinho as a defensive tactician - but if their hope was that such taunts would prompt a more ambitious approach from the Italian champions, they were to be disappointed.
The first couple of minutes aside, when Inter hinted at an expansive approach, Mourinho's side's tactics were clearly to stay strong defensively and pounce on the counter attack.
For a long time, though, it played right into Bayern's hands. With Robben giving left-back Christian Chivu a torrid time and Mark van Bommel pulling the strings in midfield, the Germans almost completely dominated.
Playing with an air of expression and invention, Bayern probed the Inter backline time and again. Robben beat Chivu down the right to set up Ivica Olic, the Croatian slamming wide, Hamit Altintop saw a right-foot shot deflected wide and Robben then skewed wide when well placed 18 yards out.
Mourinho salutes the Inter Milan supporters after his side's triumph
At the other end, Wesley Schneider saw a deflected 40-yard free-kick beaten away by Bayern keeper Hans-Jorg Butt and Esteban Cambiasso had a firm volley blocked.
But Inter's attacking personnel were largely anonymous in the face of the Germans' control.
Then, on 34 minutes, came Inter's ambush, Milito nodding Inter keeper Julio Cesar's long clearance down to Schneider and then dashing on to the Dutchman's smart return to clip home a delightful finish.
Mourinho's muted celebrations highlighted his awareness that it was a lead his side barely deserved.
It could - and should - however, have been 2-0 moments before the break when, racing into the box, Schneider shot tamely from Milito's lay-off and Butt palmed away his effort from 16 yards out.
Still, having watched Inter repel pass-masters Barcelona with 10 men in the semi-final, Bayern boss Van Gaal will have been all too mindful of the Italians' ability to defend a lead and he sent his team out flying in the second half.
Just moments after the restart, the German champions should have been level, Thomas Mueller failing to connect smartly enough with a sliding finish with just the keeper to beat, allowing Cesar to beat his shot away.
It was a miss he was almost made to rue within minutes as Milito burst down Bayern's left, cut the ball back to Pandev, only for Butt to brilliantly tip the Macedonian's clipped effort past the post.
Predictably, though, the pattern for the second half had been set - Bayern controlling possession and Inter sitting deep and breaking.
Robben remained far and away Bayern's most potent weapon, his pace and skill down the right prompting almost continuous volleys from an increasingly frustrated Mourinho on the sidelines.
Bayern's Bastian Schweinsteiger and Thomas Muller show their dismay
A free-kick from the Dutchman almost led to an equaliser when it fell to Mueller, only for the German's snap-shot to be blocked, before a fine curler again brought the best out of Cesar in the Inter goal minutes later.
But, just as in the first half, for all their considered build-up Bayern were always vulnerable on the counter attack, and another moment of Milito magic settled it.
The Argentine - a constant thorn in the Germans' side - had it all to do when he collected a pass from Samuel Eto'o on 70 minutes.
But Milito was not to be denied and turned defender Mark van Buyten brilliantly - though far too easily - before side-footing a sensational 30th goal of his season.
The goal was effectively game, set and match, Bayern's sting very much drawn and Inter allowed to coast to victory thereafter.
The final whistle prompted a warm embrace between Mourinho and Van Gaal, before the Portuguese enjoyed the celebrations with his team. But he then stalked the Inter end a lone figure, waving deadpanned towards the Nerazzurri faithful.
Having beaten the English, Spanish and German champions en route to European club football's most sought-after trophy, few could deny Mourinho his moment - nor his place in history.
Live text and stats
Saturday, 22 May 2010
Champions League
| Home Team | Score | Away Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bayern Munich | 0-2 | Inter Milan | FT |
| (HT 0-1) | |||
| |
| ||
Bayern Munich
- 22Butt
- 05Van Buyten
- 06Demichelis yellow card
- 21Lahm
- 28Badstuber
- 08Altintop (Klose 63)
- 17Van Bommel yellow card
- 31Schweinsteiger
- 10Robben
- 11Olic (Gomez 74)
- 25Mueller
Substitutes
- 01Rensing,
- 13Gorlitz,
- 26Contento,
- 23Pranjic,
- 44Tymoschuk,
- 18Klose,
- 33Gomez
Inter Milan
- 12Julio Cesar
- 04Zanetti
- 06Lucio
- 13Maicon
- 25Samuel
- 26Chivu yellow card (Stankovic 68)
- 10Sneijder
- 19Cambiasso
- 09Eto'o
- 22Milito (Materazzi 90+1)
- 27Pandev (Muntari 79)
Substitutes
- 01Toldo,
- 02Cordoba,
- 23Materazzi,
- 05Stankovic,
- 11Muntari,
- 17Mariaga,
- 45Balotelli
Ref:Howard WebbAtt:80,100
BAYERN MUNICH
INTER MILAN
Possession
- Bayern Munich 59%
- Inter Milan 41%
Attempts on target
- Bayern Munich 10
- Inter Milan 7
Attempts off target
- Bayern Munich 7
- Inter Milan 2
Corners
- Bayern Munich 7
- Inter Milan 2
Fouls
- Bayern Munich 14
- Inter Milan 10
- Final Result
- Full Time
- 90:00+3:25 The referee blows his whistle to end the game.
- 90:00+2:29 Foul by Dejan Stankovic on Bastian Schweinsteiger, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Bastian Schweinsteiger.
- 90:00+1:27 Centre by Thomas Muller.
- 90:00+0:53 Substitution Diego Milito goes off and Marco Materazzi comes on.
- 88:55 Dejan Stankovic gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Bastian Schweinsteiger. Bastian Schweinsteiger takes the direct free kick.
- 88:36 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Sisenando Maicon by Bastian Schweinsteiger. Soares Julio Cesar restarts play with the free kick.
- 88:04 Centre by Bastian Schweinsteiger.
- 86:45 Wesley Sneijder fouled by Mark Van Bommel, the ref awards a free kick. Ferreira Lucio restarts play with the free kick.
- 85:40 The ball is delivered by Thomas Muller.
- 84:55 Arjen Robben sends in a cross.
- 82:52 Philip Lahm delivers the ball, clearance by Javier Zanetti.
- 81:31 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Bastian Schweinsteiger by Dejan Stankovic. Shot on goal comes in from Arjen Robben from the free kick.
- 80:06 Shot from 25 yards by Arjen Robben. Esteban Cambiasso gets a block in.
- 79:02 Sisenando Maicon delivers the ball, clearance by Martin Demichelis.
- 77:42 Sisenando Maicon takes the direct free kick.
- 77:42 Substitution Sulley Muntari is brought on as a substitute for Goran Pandev.
- 77:42 Booking Mark Van Bommel goes into the book for unsporting behaviour.
- 77:26 Mark Van Bommel concedes a free kick for a foul on Diego Milito.
- 77:06 Short corner taken by Bastian Schweinsteiger.
- 76:59 The ball is delivered by Holger Badstuber, Ferreira Lucio makes a clearance.
- 76:21 A cross is delivered by Thomas Muller, clearance by Dejan Stankovic.
- 76:09 Centre by Arjen Robben, clearance made by Esteban Cambiasso.
- 75:35 Arjen Robben takes a inswinging corner.
- 74:39 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Goran Pandev by Mark Van Bommel. Free kick taken by Dejan Stankovic.
- 73:04 Substitution Ivica Olic goes off and Mario Gomez comes on.
- 71:43 Thomas Muller produces a cross, save by Soares Julio Cesar.
- 71:25 The ball is delivered by Holger Badstuber, blocked by Sisenando Maicon.
- 69:40 GOAL - Diego Milito:Bayern Munich 0 - 2 Inter Milan A goal is scored by Diego Milito from deep inside the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Bayern Munich 0-2 Inter Milan.
- 69:20 Ivica Olic takes a shot. Ferreira Lucio gets a block in.
- 67:14 Substitution Dejan Stankovic joins the action as a substitute, replacing Cristian Chivu.
- 65:07 Bastian Schweinsteiger decides to take a short corner.
- 64:47 Arjen Robben takes a shot. Save by Soares Julio Cesar.
- 63:29 Bastian Schweinsteiger challenges Diego Milito unfairly and gives away a free kick. Wesley Sneijder shoots direct from the free kick, Jorg Butt makes a save.
- 62:42 Thomas Muller takes a shot. Esteban Cambiasso gets a block in.
- 61:31 Arjen Robben crosses the ball in from the free kick, Diego Milito manages to make a clearance.
- 61:31 Substitution Miroslav Klose comes on in place of Hamit Altintop.
- 61:31 Goran Pandev gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Arjen Robben.
- 59:44 Hamit Altintop delivers the ball, save made by Soares Julio Cesar.
- 58:14 Arjen Robben takes a short corner.
- 58:05 The ball is crossed by Philip Lahm, Esteban Cambiasso manages to make a clearance.
- 56:50 Corner taken by Arjen Robben.
- 55:38 Wesley Sneijder takes a outswinging corner.
- 53:52 Effort from the edge of the box by Hamit Altintop goes wide of the left-hand upright.
- 52:10 Goran Pandev fouled by Mark Van Bommel, the ref awards a free kick. Wesley Sneijder fires a strike on goal direct from the free kick.
- 51:48 Arjen Robben takes a shot. Blocked by Walter Samuel.
- 48:49 Foul by Esteban Cambiasso on Mark Van Bommel, free kick awarded. Mark Van Bommel takes the free kick.
- 47:07 Wesley Sneijder takes the outswinging corner, Holger Badstuber makes a clearance.
- 46:46 Goran Pandev takes a shot. Save by Jorg Butt.
- 46:08 The ball is swung over by Arjen Robben, clearance made by Esteban Cambiasso.
- 45:18 Thomas Muller takes a shot. Save by Soares Julio Cesar.
- 45:01 The match restarts for the second half.
- Half Time
- 45:00+1:10 The referee calls an end to the first half.
- 45:00+0:57 Shot from outside the area by Mark Van Bommel misses to the left of the goal.
- 45:00+0:16 Mark Van Bommel takes a shot. Esteban Cambiasso gets a block in.
- 44:18 Ivica Olic produces a cross.
- 42:25 Wesley Sneijder takes a shot. Save made by Jorg Butt.
- 40:46 Shot from a long way out by Arjen Robben goes wide of the left-hand upright.
- 40:00 Hamit Altintop takes a shot. Save made by Soares Julio Cesar.
- 39:15 Martin Demichelis challenges Samuel Eto'o unfairly and gives away a free kick. Javier Zanetti takes the direct free kick.
- 37:27 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Wesley Sneijder by Arjen Robben. Free kick crossed by Wesley Sneijder, save by Jorg Butt.
- 33:59 The assist for the goal came from Wesley Sneijder.
- 33:59 GOAL - Diego Milito:Bayern Munich 0 - 1 Inter Milan Diego Milito finds the net with a goal from inside the penalty box high into the middle of the goal. Bayern Munich 0-1 Inter Milan.
- 33:13 A cross is delivered by Philip Lahm, Soares Julio Cesar makes a save.
- 32:27 Wesley Sneijder produces a cross.
- 31:52 Effort from outside the penalty box by Thomas Muller goes wide right of the target.
- 30:24 Hamit Altintop crosses the ball, Soares Julio Cesar makes a save.
- 29:10 Arjen Robben crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, clearance by Diego Milito.
- 29:10 Booking The referee shows Cristian Chivu a yellow card.
- 29:01 Cristian Chivu concedes a free kick for a foul on Arjen Robben.
- 26:07 Foul by Mark Van Bommel on Wesley Sneijder, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Esteban Cambiasso.
- 25:24 Wesley Sneijder produces a shot on goal direct from the free kick, save made by Jorg Butt.
- 25:24 Booking Martin Demichelis receives a caution for unsporting behaviour.
- 24:46 Diego Milito fouled by Martin Demichelis, the ref awards a free kick.
- 23:47 Free kick awarded for a foul by Cristian Chivu on Arjen Robben. Free kick taken by Arjen Robben.
- 22:22 Arjen Robben has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the right of the target.
- 17:01 Mark Van Bommel concedes a free kick for a foul on Goran Pandev. Shot comes in from Wesley Sneijder from the free kick, Jorg Butt makes a save.
- 16:21 Unfair challenge on Sisenando Maicon by Ivica Olic results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Soares Julio Cesar.
- 15:35 The ball is sent over by Arjen Robben, Daniel Van Buyten takes a shot. Save by Soares Julio Cesar.
- 15:22 Short corner taken by Arjen Robben from the right by-line.
- 14:47 Cristian Chivu gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Arjen Robben. Arjen Robben crosses the ball in from the free kick, Walter Samuel makes a clearance.
- 13:05 Arjen Robben takes the inswinging corner, Soares Julio Cesar makes a comfortable save.
- 12:51 Hamit Altintop takes a shot. Ferreira Lucio gets a block in.
- 11:43 Unfair challenge on Bastian Schweinsteiger by Wesley Sneijder results in a free kick. Martin Demichelis takes the free kick.
- 10:56 Right-footed shot by Sisenando Maicon went wide left of the target.
- 9:45 Esteban Cambiasso fouled by Thomas Muller, the ref awards a free kick. Walter Samuel restarts play with the free kick.
- 9:12 Arjen Robben sends in a cross, Ivica Olic produces a right-footed shot from close in which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
- 2:34 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Arjen Robben by Walter Samuel. Arjen Robben restarts play with the free kick.
- 0:46 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Goran Pandev by Philip Lahm. Free kick crossed right-footed by Wesley Sneijder from left wing, Jorg Butt makes a save.
- 0:00 The game gets underway.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association.
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