The performances of AC Milan and Internazionale have been with high peaks and deep troughs in recent years. Nevertheless, both teams are in the quarterfinals of the Champions League this season. And that was a long time ago.
Reviving old times: AC Milan and Inter flourish in Europe
The last time both teams from Milan were in the quarter finals of the Champions League was in the 2005/06 season. In the meantime, both teams have reached the knockout stage of the tournament seven times, but never again have they reached the quarter-finals. A sign that Milanese football is on the rise again.
In the 2005/06 season, AC Milan finished first in the group with PSV, Schalke 04 and Fenerbahce. The Italian superpower made it to the semi-finals in that season, but Barcelona turned out to be too big in two games. That year, AC Milan had greats such as Paolo Maldini, Anriy Shevchenko, Gennaro Gattuso, Filippo Inzaghi, Alessandro Nesta, Clarence Seedorf, Kaká, Andrea Pirlo and Jaap Stam.
Despite the large load of big players, AC Milan did not manage to become national champions of Italy that season. It had to give up that title to fellow townsman Internazionale. Inter qualified for the Champions League through the preliminary rounds that year, but eventually finished first in the group. The quarter finals did become the final station of the then national champion of Italy.
Inter also had to lose out against a Spanish team. Villarreal was too strong on the basis of more away goals. Inter also had excellent players that year. Adriano, Estaban Cambiasso, Luis Figo, Juan Sebastián Veron, Marco Materazzi, Javier Zanetti and Júlio Cesar. Just a selection from Inter’s strong selection.
Three Italian teams active
With Napoli qualifying for the next round, for the first time since 2006 three Italian teams are in the quarterfinals. La Gazzetta dello Sport calls Milan “the queen of Europe” and is already talking about the possibility of a Milanese clash in the quarter-final of the Champions League. “That would be a terrifying quarter-final, the derby,” they wrote.
Twice before, AC Milan and Inter have been linked in the Champions League. In the 2002/03 season, AC Milan won over two games on the basis of more away goals and two years later Milan became the big winner again. The home game was won 2-0 and Milan was 0-3 too strong for the arch rival.
