FC Barcelona vs Inter Milan: What happened last time both these teams played in the Champions League semifinal?

FC Barcelona vs Inter Milan: What happened last time both these teams played in the Champions League semifinal?

Barcelona will face Inter Milan in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) semifinal to be played at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona on Thursday, May 1.

Despite losing the quarterfinal second leg 1-3, Barcelona’s 4-0 thrashing of BVB Dortmund in the first leg at home was enough to see them through to the semifinal.

For Inter as well, the first leg ended up being more decisive after a late goal from Davide Frattessi had given them an important lead going into the second leg. They second leg ended 2-2 and 4-3 on aggregate sending the Nerrazzuri to the semis.

The last time both these teams for a UCL semifinal was exactly 15 years ago in the 2009-10 season. After two intense games of 90 minutes the tie ended in favour of the Italian side, credits to a defensive masterclass from Jose Mourinho.

The first leg in San Siro looked under control for the Blaugrana as Pedro netted in the 19th minute giving them the lead.

However, goals from Wesley Sneijder, Maicon and Diego Milito flipped the game giving Inter a 3-1 lead after the first game.

In the second leg Pep Guardiola’s men came all guns blazing and things didn’t help when Inter’s Thiago Mota was controversially sent off due to Sergio Busquets theatrics in the 28th minute.

Barcelona pushed more but Mourinho’s players remained resolute and and showcased some fine defensive football. The Catalan’s pressure finally showed dividends when Gerard Pique scored in the 84th minute. Barcelona again found the net in injury time but Yaya Toure seemed to have handled to ball in the build up.

The referee finally blew the final whistle and the game ended 3-2 on aggregate in favour of Inter. Jose Mourinho didn’t hold back celebrating by running the full length of the Camp Nou pitch and thumping his chest right in front of the Barcelona fans.

Mourinho even went on to call it his “greatest defeat”, adding, “It is a style of blood not skill. When the moment of leaving everything on the pitch arrives, you don’t leave the skill you leave the blood.’