Inter Milan: A Tribute to the Barcelona Conquerors

For some strange reason, Barca’s 5-0 thrashing of Real brought back memories of last season’s Champions League Semifinal. At that time, most neutrals and anti-Inter observers were of the opinion, “It's only Mourinho, Inter are nothing on their own!”

Nothing irked me more than people discrediting heroes and warriors such as Lucio, Samuel, Cambiasso, Zanetti, Stankovic and every other member of that Inter team and giving the lion's share of the credit to Mourinho.

Tonight’s game vindicates all Inter fans’ point of view that Inter’s players were the real heroes and a coach is only as good as his team. If this isn’t true, how can the same manager who held off Barca with 10 men be humiliated by five goals playing with 11? If anything, Jose should have found it easier having known the so called Magic Formula!

In this unsettled time for Inter when we are losing players to injury left, right and center, it doesn’t hurt to reminisce on the past and appreciate the effort put in by our heroes to stop this team.

I will use this as a special tribute to Walter "The Wall" Samuel who will be most sorely missed for the rest of the season.

The following slides are some of the most memorable images from that legendary tie.

Forza Inter.

Il Capitano

Michael Regan/Getty Images

BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 28: Javier Zanetti of Inter Milan looks on during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final Second Leg match between Barcelona and Inter Milan at Camp Nou on April 28, 2010 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Mr Inter. Cool, calm and collected as always.

The Warrior

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BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 28: Lucio of Inter Milan celebrates in the sprinklers after victory in the UEFA Champions League Semi Final Second Leg match between Barcelona and Inter Milan at Camp Nou on April 28, 2010 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Michael

Lucio played this game as if his career depended on it. He truly has the heart of a lion.

The Wall

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BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 28: Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Barcelona holds off Walter Samuel of Inter Milan during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final Second Leg match between Barcelona and Inter Milan at Camp Nou on April 28, 2010 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo b

The Wall. That name says it all for a defender.

Cuchu

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BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 28: Lionel Messi of Barcelona is tackled by Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso of Inter Milan during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final Second Leg match between Barcelona and Inter Milan at Camp Nou on April 28, 2010 in Barcel

Cambiasso's marshaling of Inter's midfield was one of the prime reasons for them being able to suffocate the more creative opposition.

Best Keeper in the World?

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MILAN, ITALY - APRIL 20: Goalkeeper Julio Cesar of Inter Milan celebrates his team's 3:1 goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final First Leg match between Inter Milan and Barcelona at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 20, 2010 in Milan, Italy. (Ph

Cesar's form last season made him a great candidate for best keeper in the world. Ever-dependable and super consistent.

Ballon Dor Winner?

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BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 28: Wesley Sneijder (R) of Inter Milan fights for the ball with Sergio Busquets of FC Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League semi final second leg match between Barcelona and Inter Milan at the Camp Nou stadium on April 28,

Sneijder is known for his imagination and creative passes but his efforts in closing down the Barca midfield and attack was probably the best example ever of "defending from the front."

The Unstoppable Force

Michael Regan/Getty Images

BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 28: The Inter Milan team line up before the UEFA Champions League Semi Final Second Leg match between Barcelona and Inter Milan at Camp Nou on April 28, 2010 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

When you see the results Barcelona have managed before and after this game, it puts this performance into perspective and the dedication and discipline shown by our Nerazzurri stars.