Mourinho and Inter take their places amongst the Gods
“The most beautiful defeat of my life,” said José Mourinho after he’d completed his manic circumnavigation of the Nou Camp pitch and pointed to the heavens. For once, not many could disagree with his bravado and bluster.
How Inter – a 10-man, under the cosh Inter who were facing the best team and the best player in the world – survived this is a question that everyone at Barcelona will be asking today. How did Barça only win 1-0 on the night? The answer can be found in one word: Mourinho.
While it is true that journalists fall at his feet, several of his more banal remarks can get dressed up as mythical, magical utterances and he has created a persona that hogs the headlines above anything that his team or players can achieve, the Portuguese played it perfectly in this one. Both on and off the pitch.
Ahead 3-1 from the first leg, he knew how nervous Barça were ahead of the return. His pre-match suggestion that the idea of winning the Champions League in Madrid had become an “obsession” was perfectly pitched. The desire to win the giant trophy at the home of their most hated rivals had indeed become that for Barça, far more than just winning the trophy itself. It showed too, as they never got into their stride last night.
When Thiago Motta received his marching orders – with no little help from Sergio Busquets – in the 28th minute, it was tempting to think that Inter’s hopes of reaching the final were heading down the tunnel with him. Mourinho was furious, on the surface. In private he’d have been relishing the challenge that had now been provided for him. Inter have played with 10 men several times under his stewardship, they even got a point against Sampdoria earlier in the campaign after being reduced to nine in the first half. This was Barça though, surely this time it would be different.
It wasn’t. The Barça who ripped Arsenal to shreds couldn’t penetrate Inter until Gerard Piqué’s late spin and shot, and he looked suspiciously offside as well.
In truth, and if it wasn’t apparent enough already, this result should be enough to end the tedious belief that English clubs dominate in the Champions League. Inter – Chelsea’s conquerors – were heroic in hanging on against Barça and restricting them to just one goal, something that was way beyond Arsenal. They’ll now play Bayern Munich in the final, and the Germans beat Manchester United earlier in the competition.
Inter may have been backed into a corner last night. The stats showed that they had the ball less than a quarter of the amount of time that Barça did. Xavi made almost twice as many passes as his entire opposition. No matter.
Mourinho and Inter are through, and will line-up against Bayern in Madrid on May 22nd.
Last night was an exhibition of how to win with your backs against the wall, when grit, determination and willpower are required.
There are few better at that than Mourinho, and there are few who enjoy victory as much as the Portuguese too.
He even enjoys some defeats.
Tags: