Barcelona v Inter: A Dream, Not an Obsession

By: Johonna | April 27th, 2010

Milito against Barcelona, November 2009
Ok. This is the third opening paragraph to this preview that I have written. The first was a motivational speech, the second a treatise on tension, and now this. I guess I haven’t quite figured out what this one will be yet. For sure there is cheer leading (can you believe it?!? going into the second leg with a goal advantage! Against Barcelona!), and a strangely large amount of stress (remember when I didn’t care – oh what halcyon days), but I guess what lingers after all that is stripped away is a sense of job well done. I feel like, even if things do go horribly pear shaped and we ended up with the dreaded Zeru Titoli, Inter has achieved something that I never expected. This year, the team has reminded us all what it is to have a dream that we can really believe in. No matter the outcome, this has been a fantastic ride.

What: FC Barcelona v FC Internazionale Milano, Champions League Semifinal, Leg 2
Where: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
When: Wednesday, April 28, 8:45 local time (11:45am pacific, 2:45pm eastern)
How to Watch: Live on Fox Soccer Channel, PPV at UEFA.com, or find a stream: MyP2P, Rojadirecta, Ustream, and ATDHE.net

Unfortunately, my work schedule does not allow me to take time off and liveblog tomorrow. I know, it has been pretty successful for us in the past (Inter – Milan 2-0, CSKA Moscow – Inter 0-1, Inter – Barcelona 3-1), but I just dont think I can get away tomorrow. I will check in when I can and trust the rest of you to hold down the fort.

There really isn’t any point in talking about past games. It doesn’t matter what we did last fall, or what we did in 2003. This is the big game and all bets are off. Likewise for them, I am sure. Which is why I am not doing a THEM section either. If you would like to find out what Barcelona is likely to do tomorrow, you should check out the Barcelona board here on the offside.

Abandon All Hope, Ye Who Enter Here

Or at least that is what they would like us all to think, but as hard as it is to come away with a result from Camp Nou, it is not impossible. The truth is, any draw, and we go through. Any win for Inter, we go through. Hell, we can even lose, and as long as we score, we can go through. Without a doubt, this will be the hardest game Inter has had to play this season. They are a gifted bunch and so long as they don’t let their emotions get the better of them, they will be nearly impossible to contain. Nearly but not entirely. And if anyone can do it, it is Inter.

Mourinho has taken the whole first squad to Barcelona, the injured, the suspended, everyone. I love it when Mou does this – the whole all for one attidude does wonders for esprit de corps. According to Mou, it is all thanks to Deki who “cried because he wanted to go,” and if he goes then everybody goes.

Mou was kind enough to give us almost the whole starting lineup:

“Sneijder is fine and he will play. We will see after the match if he is okay for ninety minutes. He still has a small problem but he gave a positive response in our final training session and there are no doubts. The others? Julio Cesar, Lucio, Maicon, Samuel, Zanetti, Cambiasso, Sneijder, Eto’o and Milito, so that’s nine or ten already…”

There has been tons of press leading up to this game. Everyone who can has had some sort of comment about this tie. The drama is palpable. So, you can read the pundits (try here, or here, and background here), or you can get things straight from the players (Lucio, the Diego brothers, Thiago Motta)

Really, there is no hope for me to thoroughly cover this game, so I am not even going to try. The drama surrounding this game is immense. The Barcelona fans actually looked like they were going to assault Mou today. Emotions are running so high that Mou had a bodyguard with him at the press conference. One wonders if things haven’t gotten slightly out of hand.

Balotelli even got a brand new ‘do for the occasion. That is how big this game is.

So here is the deal: I hate making predictions because I am superstitious. Even so, I think that this squad has what it takes to make it to the finals. I dont know if we will take them at home, but I think we can get through this game with what we need to progress. Mou has done an outstanding job prepping the squad – they are as ready as they will ever be.
.

It is all down to you now.

.
.
.
Dont Stop Believing (everyone sing along).

FORZA INTER

Oh, and Marica, you totally get a researcher credit for this post. All those links were wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing!

Some Related Inter Posts:

Category: Dejan Stankovic, Match Preview, Team News, Wesley Sneijder

« Inter 3 – Atalanta 1 | Home | Barcelona 1-0 Inter: The Best Freaking Loss of my LIFE »

adamclott24

Nice post. I'm glad you have posted this.
grandeMou

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

EPIC FAIL. Looks like a cheesy video from 90s. wtf was Barca's PR team thinking. man this makes me cringe
mou

cant believe they turned on the sprinklers whilst we were celebrating, embarrassingly classless
Maryam

Ajay, thanks for the extended celebrations. Can't seem to get a clear shot of El Cuchi crying! I wanna see the emotions on his face!

Nikko- I agree, very poor sportsmanship from their side....

an interesting read:
http://www.football-italia.net...
kirby

whats sadder is the pathetic fans that actually tried to disrupt us by camping out outside our hotel making noise...

i have no respect for Barca
ajay

i really cannot believe how petty, childish and immature barca were. not just the players, as a whole.

the constant whining, diving, complaining, the sprinklers. unbelievable how a professional team can behave in that manner.
Ink

nobody go troll barcelona, please, alright? let's just cheer here and not start a war.

yay!
barindera

Man we put on a defending clinic!!!
Nikko

well ishaq if Ibra remained with Inter, would Inter be in the final? Barca would have done better without the selfish Ibra. I was on he fence about selling Ibra and have a soft spot for the guy, but he does not make his teammates better. Ibra plays for Ibra and he would have celebrated like a parade if he had scored against us.
My shock from this series was how Barca acted. Really thought they were better than that.
ajay

longer version of match celebrations with the sprinklers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
Maryam

""My best season ever? Yes. When you play the final of the Champions League you can say that it's your best season ever."

This what Sneijder said!
He's calling his season with Inter the best yet! :D
damaur

@ MarcoL
I don't think Mourinho will leave if we get the treble. He would want to get all six like barca did last season
MarcoL

And now Lucio plays against his former club. What greatness it would be for him to win over the team that said he wasn't needed.
Inter Inter

Indeed we are the better team. We defended better - 10 vs 11. And we scored more goals (3-2 agg).
damaur

Ibra and the Barca fans should have seen it coming when we ripped the CL crest from Ibra's chest. FORZA INTER
NewMan

What the Fuck is wrong with VALDES? Why he was trying to stop Mou celebrating the victory?
MarcoL

Zanetti is a goddamn machine

"Now we are thinking about Madrid, but also the league."

He will not stop nor will the team. This is OUR year!
kirby

My bbm: 21316182 add me guys
Alex

wasnt a straight red but motta was already on a yellow and raised his hand which you cannot do in europe these days. all refs in any league or competition including the world cup, champions league are fucking terrible

pains me to say this but bravo on the win your back 4 is the best in europe!
Ramzi

The better team across the two legs qualified. Good luck in the final.
MarcoL

Zanetti was at the bottem of the man-pile.
Darjan

Skyder: HAHAHHA that is hilarious. Totally done with style. "Spanish diving expert" ahahahhaha.
MarcoL

Cambiasso in tears has melted my heart.
Maryam

ugh that Busquets clip DRIVES ME CRAZY.
Celebrations are awesome though! Was Cambiasso in tears? And how come we didn't see Zanetti celebrate? :(
Avinesh

I feel sorry for you guys.. It's 9am here so I got all day to try to calm down! some of you other guys won't and will struggle to sleep lol. BUT WE ARE THRU BABY! Who would have thought it after facing Chelsea , CSKA and Barca? PAZZA INTER AMALA!
ishaq96

how ironic is that, ibra leaves inter in order to win the C L. now inter have just dumped barcelona out of the competition to play in the C L final, zlatan will be kicking himself for the rest of his life!!!!
ajay

Peek-A-Boo Busquets
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

Celebrations
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

anybody got a video of the players running through the sprinklers?
Maryam

LMAO E! good one!
I am in a trance, I cant believe it, its surreal!
How am I gonna sleep and wake up in a bit for work? ITS IMPOSSIBLE!

Valdez was a total ass, freaking sore loser, Mou wasn't doing anything, he has a right to rub it in their faces! F O R Z A I N T E R
Nikko

I saw Valdez pleading his case to Toldo. so what was he sore about?
MarcoL

Im just afraid if we do win the treble or not win anything that Mourinho will leave us at seasons end. God I hope im wrong.
skyder

darjan: here's my feeble attempt: http://img248.imageshack.us/i/...
Alto

Mourinho is simply an INCREDIBLE manager, the clear cut world's #1.

Inter Milan in the final. Unthinkable. Reshaped in his image. What else can one do after that heroic performance but tip their cap.

Complements, ragazzi.
Ade

Brilliant but heart pounding stuff. I need a lie down! Great "win" but feel bad for Thiago Motta getting shafted.
MarcoL

I hope thats the end of this ref being in charge of our games. Im not sure my heart can take another beating like that.
Kazaan

Barca was much more dangerous without Zlatan.
ajay

anybody got a video of the team celebrating?
E

Marco i think its the Nose
Ink

Jo: relax. all that hard work and shit you put up with over the years? paying off now. Suffuse in happiness...

Also, try not to get fired ><
barindera

hey guys if you have bbm messanger here is my bbm pin: 258c7c52
MarcoL

haha yea thats what i said. The icing on the cake is Ibra doesn't get the trophey he wanted and we might. Thats the trick, any team that gets Ibra fails in Europe.
Inter Inter

Euphoric. It would have been sweeter though, if we had ended it 0-0.
Johonna

Crap. I couln't work before the game because I was too nervous. Now I cant work because I am too excited.

I shoulda just taken the day off. May 22 for sure.
E

AHHA same here Barindera same here brother !!!

Sad thing though is we wont have Motta for the final thanx to that piece of horse shit known as busquets , we really had to go throught if not for anything but that fucking dive , God never sleeps and he doesnt like UGLY !!!

MOURINHO FOR PRESIDENT , he and the entire team deserved to have their statue built ,,,,,,,,,,,AHH i dont even what im saying anymore but WHO CARES WE WON WE WON WE WONNNNN
Max

FOORRRZAAAA NERRAZZUURRRIIII!!!
Ink

@Inter Inter - his index finger, like a goal celebration. nothing vulgar. But yeah Valdez did sort of go over and try to grab him.
Inter Inter

Footballitalia's headline: "Heroic Inter reach final"
Maryam

Oooooh I just remembered that Ibra won't win the CL with Barca. MADE THIS WIN EVEN SWEETER!

Who hated football for the past 90 mins? CERTAINLY NOT US.
I can stop watching them celebrate, SO happy for them.
My boys totally deserved <333
skyder

i don't know how to upload the wiki page. i saved it on a Word file..
kirby

WE MADE IT THROUGH WITH ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL OUR PLAYERS INTACT.
Maryam

FORZAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA INTER <3333333
INCREDIBLE GAME

Congrats everyone, what an achievement! :D
Darjan

DON'T CRY FOR ME BARCEEEEELOOOOOONA..... Johonna can you upload the "real" wiki page? :)
marcutio

i am still shaking and i almost puked when barca scored the 2nd that got called off. and i am finally over zlatan. this will haunt him for the rest of eternity
Julian

You made a grown man very happy tonight. Any chance we could see that screenshot?
barindera

@E and im sure everyone else...i dont know what to do with myself right now either...i wish all us regulars were together to celebrate!!!!!! i love you guys
MarcoL

Also we finally have players being shown in the opening of the champion's league song! REAL VICTORY!
shandy

FORZA INTER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kazaan

I want to watch our celebration on the pitch again, again and again....
marcutio

i am happy that justice prevailed. forza inter!!!! grazie ragazzi!!!
sammy

oh my god!! cant believe it... were in the final... yeah!!!!!!
MarcoL

Yea Inter Inter that happened but not as dramatic as that. Valdez went to him but nothing happened.
skyder

jo, i saved one too!
skyder

shows you how important that 3rd goal was at San Siro! otherwise we'd've out!
E

FOOOOOOOOOOOOORZZZZZZZAAAAAAAAAAA INNNNTERRRRR !
what a defensive display , best i have seen in forever it was orgasmic
this team is indeed helenio herrara 's heir
LOVE YOU INTER !!!!!!!!!AHHHHHHHHHHHHH SHIT I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MYSELF
Inter Inter

"At the final whistle Mourinho went on a run across the pitch with his finger held aloft to the crowd. He was stopped and manhandled by Victor Valdes" Is that true?
barindera

anyone know of a link to the post game in english?
MarcoL

If I just survived that, im pretty sure im able to do anything. I love Motta even more for grabbing that diving piece of shit Bas-whatever the fuck- by the neck and tell him off as he's leaving.
Johonna

Busquets' wiki is back to normal, but I have a screen shot of the correct version
Nikko

congrats to us guys! seriously ..we did greaaat
skyder

this was such an epic game... man, who in their right mind would've ever guessed:
1. in the beginning of this season that we'll be in the final of the CL?
2. we'll be so much better without ibra?
3. after going down to 10 men, against barca, i mean fucking BARCA, we'll hold on to make it to the CL?
Johonna

I know. And we thought this game was bad. I may have to resort to sedatives for the final. On thing is for sure - I will take the day off and liveblog the heck out of it.
kirby

GRANNDER INTER!!! GRANNDER INTER!!! GRANNDER INTER!!! GRANNDER INTER!!! GRANNDER INTER!!! GRANNDER INTER!!! GRANNDER INTER!!! GRANNDER INTER!!! GRANNDER INTER!!! GRANNDER INTER!!! GRANNDER INTER!!! GRANNDER INTER!!! GRANNDER INTER!!! GRANNDER INTER!!! GRANNDER INTER!!! GRANNDER INTER!!! GRANNDER INTER!!! GRANNDER INTER!!!
barindera

Busquets you mother fucking bitch...if i ever see you in person ill slap the shit out of you and give myself a straight red! you cock sucker....bitches like you take the beautiful out of the beautiful game!
Kazaan

We were better offensively in the first game and defensively in the second than Barca. Complete victory!
Ink

@Joe seriously? you're thinking about coefficients now??

Also, if we lose to Bayern, seriously, Mourinho should fire himself.
barindera

Fuck oh my god, this is really happening! i love it! mourinho's men did it! i love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joe

does anyone know what happens
with the UEFA coefficients now?
Darjan

FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE -- FORZA INTER PER SEMPRE --
Edds10

Well done from a roma fan
Now i just hope you win the final for Zanetti who deserves to lift the trophy with all those hundreds of flawless displays over the years for you.
ajay

WE ARE THROUGH !!!!!!!!!!!!!

FORZA INTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tomas

From a Bayern supporter, congrats Inter! Your defense not only amazes me but also scares the shit out of me. Sticking it to Barca at Barca and with 10 men... nice! See you in Madrid!
Carly

Forza Inter! A great day to be an Inter fan!
Kamran

Congrats Inter. Hats off to the performance.
ForzaRoma

excellent! go inter!! go italy!!! forza catenaccio!!!!
congrats!!
InterMilan forever

This is why I love this team with heart of a lion. Even with one man down, they could not produce any thing, except for a clear offside goal. Forza Inter. Onto the Germans....
grandeMou

the proudest moment as an inter fan and what a victory. my hands are frkng shaking. fuckng divers got what they fuckng deserved

forza inter. of fuck you motherfuckng valdes.
k

I havent seen Catenaccio like that in a lonnnnnnnng time.

Bravo.
Bari Mike

Tant'auguri Inter!!!! Bravo!!!!!

It's a good day to be Italian.!!!'
CB

congrats to inter from a Barca fan.
Jose (Barca fan)

Congrats Inter!!
slakas

magnifico
ciro

yeeeeeeeeesssssss! NICE UN!
pelon

no handball.
ciro

if its a dive why not book him?
ciro

yeah he was well off!
slakas

he was offsides. hang on!
kev9inter

no no not muntari
kev9inter

cant stand this
Nikko

Ibra for Bojan?
Nikko

why do we even bother having attackers if this is how we playing? I can't even see us counter attacking.
slakas

your goalie better be damn careful, this ref will give him a second time wasting yellow at the drop of a hat.