Inter Milan clinched their third European title 45 years on from their last in Madrid on Saturday, winning the tactical tussle to see off Bayern Munich 2-0.

For the first time in the history of Europe’s most prestigious club competition, a triumphant team president was following directly in the footsteps of his father. The Moratti family name has now been etched even deeper into Nerazzurri history after Massimo finally realised his dream of joining his dad at the continental summit, Angelo having overseen Inter wins in 1964 and 1965.

The current side, who progressed past much-fancied duo Chelsea and Barcelona on their way to the showpiece, likewise lived up to their name Internazionale, boasting four Argentinians, three Brazilians, a Romanian, a Macedonian, a Dutchman and a Cameroonian – but no Italians – in their starting line-up.

The victory nonetheless owed much to Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho, the self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ whose tactical mastery and sheer charisma enabled him to bring the best out of his players. With an unquenchable thirst for honours, Mourinho has already set himself a new target. “I want to become the only coach to win the Champions League with three different clubs,” he declared just a few minutes after the final whistle was blown at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

Milito magic
Deprived of suspended wing dynamo Franck Ribery, Bayern were dangerously reliant on Arjen Robben down the right, and though the pacy Dutch international toiled valiantly his efforts were ultimately in vain. The Bundesliga side never found a way of unsettling Inter’s flexible 4-1-4-1 formation, which morphed into a 4-3-3 when in possession to allow two players to apply defensive pressure on the flanks – even if it meant billeting a natural goalscorer like Samuel Eto’o out wide.

The man of the match was undoubtedly Argentinian striker Diego Milito, whose strikes against Siena helped Inter seal a fifth consecutive Serie A title and who also contributed a vital goal against Barcelona. Alone up front, the Enzo Francescoli lookalike was crucially able to get the better of Bayern’s powerful but somewhat sluggish centre-backs Daniel van Buyten and Martin Demichelis.

His first goal emerged almost out of the blue following a move of stunning simplicity. Julio Cesar’s long clearance was met by Milito in the middle and, after nodding towards Wesley Sneijder, he sped forward to receive the Dutchman’s pass and clipped it in first time. It was a moment nigh on insolent in its straightforwardness and a profound blow that immediately raised doubts as to whether Bayern could bounce back.

Milito then proceded to finish the German side off, this time collecting the ball from Eto’o. Finding himself out on the left, he cut inside, bamboozled Van Buyten with a slick turn and buried a clinical effort inside the far post. There was more than a little hint of Lionel Messi in his contribution, and Diego Maradona can count himself lucky to boast both players in his 2010 FIFA World Cup™ squad.