Champions League Final, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Internazionale Milano vs Bayern Muchen 2-0: Milito 35', 70' (I)
(The search for a solid highlight reel of this match has been very difficult, so I posted the best videos I found of 1) goal #1, 2) goal #2, and 3) celebrations.)
Diego Milito 35'
Diego Milito 70'
There's so much to be said about Inter's victory. Between the club, it's history, the players, the league it represents, I could write a 3-part series. However, if there's one thing that I am taking away from this match, its pride in the fact that I don't let the soap-opera that is now professional sports get in the way of a much need boost for calcio.
The Champions League Final has been a staple event for American soccer fans. Thanks to ESPN, it was the only access to the European game unless you knew someone with a subscription package. Therefore, the final always stuck out. I remember seeing AC Milan and Juventus duking it out in the final as well as Milan up 3-0 at halftime against Liverpool in 2005, only to watch the highlights of them somehow losing on PKs. I haven't missed a final since.
The feel of this year's match was very unique. The Bernabeu made a phenominal atmosphere, as it really looked like one of the top, if not the best stadiums in Europe. As for the teams, it was a big change from the English-dominated tournament that the UCL had become. With clubs from 4 different nations in the semi's (Italy, Germany, Spain, France), 2009/10 was already a victory for the league.
I watched the match on the edge of my seat for the full 90 minutes. It seemed like the game was in the balance with every shift in possession. As a quasi-Milan supporter, I had never been so tense while wanting Inter to succeed. I've made it no secret that Serie A's grasp on all 4 Champions League spots far surpasses any domestic rivalry. When Diego Milito score his goals, I jumped up and cheered. All season he has been nothing short of excellence and no matter who you support or hate, this guy cannot be denied. The only thing that sucks is that playing for Inter and Argentina, there's not a jersey of his I would wear.
45 years later...
In the end, Inter were definitely deserved winners. While both their goals came on the counter-attack, Bayern rarely threatened. When they had a clear chance at at the very beginning of the second half, Julio Caesar "kick-save-and-a-beauty"ed the weak shot away. Perhaps Ribery would have helped, but quite frankly, he's overrated. Maybe he'll prove me wrong at the World Cup this summer. While it may be a pain to watch Inter strut around as the first to ever pull off the Italian trippleta, Serie A holds on to all 4 champions league spots and all the much, much needed revenue that comes with them. Finally, props to Samuel Eto'o for his 3 champions league titles in just 5 years (Barca '06, '09). Grazie Inter.
(My Prediction: 4-3 Inter... I expect much more from Bayern's attack. Nonetheless, I got the winner right.)
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