• Champions League

Inter claim historic treble with win over Bayern Munich

Tom Walker
May 22, 2010
Diego Milito struck twice to seal a stunning treble for Inter Milan © Getty Images
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Champions League final in pictures

Diego Milito's brilliant double earned Inter Milan an historic treble as Jose Mourinho became the third man to win the Champions League with two different clubs.

Milito, who scored the only goal in Inter's victory over Roma in the final of the Coppa Italia, lofted the ball past Hans-Jorg Butt ten minutes before half-time for his 29th goal of the season.

The Argentine then finished sublimely on 70 minutes to seal Inter's triumph - their first European Cup win since 1965.

Bayern had their chances but the winners of the Bundesliga couldn't convert, leaving Mourinho and his team to bask in their glory at the Bernabeu.

The result means Mourinho, who worked as a coach under Bayern boss Louis van Gaal at Barcelona, becomes the third man, after Ernst Happel and Ottmar Hitzfield, to win the trophy with different clubs - having conquered Europe with Porto in 2004.

Inter went into the game aiming for a first European Cup in 45 years and the self proclaimed 'Special One' employed an attacking starting XI to signal his intent. Javier Zanetti, making his 700th appearance for the Serie A champions, got the nod in midfield while strikers Goran Pandev, Samuel Eto'o and Milito all started.

And Inter, without an Italian in their team, started brightly but the first decent chance of the match fell to Bayern. Arjen Robben mowed down the right and having driven into the box unchallenged, the Dutchman drilled a low cross across the box only for Ivica Olic to fire wide.

Then Hamit Altintop, in for the suspended Franck Ribery, almost repaid his manager's selection after a fine run. The 27-year-old showed great skill to twist and turn on the edge of the area before cutting back on his right foot, but his goalbound effort was deflected behind.

For the first time since 2004, the Champions League final failed to feature an English side. But English referee Howard Webb was quickly called into action as Bayern had half-shouts for a penalty turned down. Robben swung over a free-kick from the right and Maicon looked to have handled as the ball ricocheted to safety - though it appeared more ball to hand.

After an open first quarter, the match slowed into a tight, tactical affair with both sides attempting to dominate the midfield. However, the chances didn't dry up and Wesley Sneijder almost broke the deadlock with a vicious free-kick but his long range effort was deflected, leaving Butt to pull off a fine reaction save.

Once Robben blazed over from just inside the box, you had to wonder whether such a great final would be graced with a goal. Cue Argentina's Milito. Sneijder flicked a long ball towards his team-mate and after a swift one-two, Milito finished superbly past the advancing Butt.

Sneijer should really have doubled Inter's lead after Milito returned the favour but the midfielder shot straight at the keeper with the whole of the goal to aim at.

The second half saw Bayern come flying out of the traps. Thomas Muller found himself clean through but the striker couldn't find a way past Julio Cesar. Inter responded immediately, racing down the other end where Butt made a fingertip save from Pandev.

Inter were rocking but a resurgent Bayern couldn't find a way through the Italian's water-tight defence. The German champions nearly drew level via Muller but his shot was blocked by Esteban Cambiasso. When Robben's curler was palmed over the bar by an athletic Cesar, Bayern began to wonder whether it was going to be their night.

They were made to pay for their wastefulness in front of goal when Milito extended Inter's lead. The 30-year-old twisted Daniel Van Buyten inside and out before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the far corner for his sixth goal in the competition.

Bayern never recovered and despite a few late scares, Inter held on in the 18th Champions League final. Mourinho took the plaudits and rightly so, though it remains to be seen whether the Portuguese manager stays with the Italian giants or moves into the Real Madrid hot seat.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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