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Inter Milan’s
transformation from Champions League also-rans to serious title
contenders can be traced back to the day coach Jose Mourinho sauntered
into town less than two years ago.

The road has been a
bumpy one but Tuesday’s vibrant 3-1 win over holders Barcelona in their
semi-final, first leg left home fans in dreamland having witnessed one
of the great European nights at the famous old San Siro.

The rafters
literally shook as 75,000 supporters bounced up and down in sheer
delight after goals from Wesley Sneijder, Maicon and Diego Milito gave
Inter the edge ahead of next Wednesday’s second leg at the Nou Camp.

World player of the
year Lionel Messi, who scored four goals in the last round against
Arsenal, was almost completely nullified by Javier Zanetti’s constant
harrying and Inter’s ability to break so quickly that the ball was
often behind him.

“We did a good
defensive job on Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic and we created
lots of chances,” Argentina’s Milito told reporters after also being
involved in the first two goals.

“My goal? I prefer
to talk about my assists. It’s great to set up goals for my
team-mates.” Milito’s work-rate and willingness to chase lost causes
sums up the attributes Mourinho has instilled in his players during a
run of six straight European victories, including two against Chelsea.

European master

Inter had grit in
Serie A under former coach Roberto Mancini but were like rabbits in
headlights when it came to Europe’s premier competition, where they
last won back-to-back titles in 1964-65 before a most recent final
appearance in 1972.

Mourinho proved he
was a European master by winning the trophy with unfashionable Porto in
2004 and near misses as Chelsea coach only served to intensify his
desire at Inter.

Last season was a
work in progress in Europe as instead he made sure of a fourth
successive Italian title, but this term the Champions League has moved
centre stage with the side now trailing AS Roma in the Serie A title
race.

Almost every Inter
fan, who only had UEFA Cup success to crow about in the 1990s, would
swap a fifth scudetto for a place in next month’s final in Madrid let
alone winning the trophy.

But the Nerazzurri know that against a team as skilful and resourceful as Barca, the tie is nowhere near over.

“We tried to neutralise their play and we succeeded, but now we will have to do the same in Barcelona,” striker Milito added.

Thousands of Barca
fans might have wondered why they battled through the travel chaos
caused by an Icelandic volcanic to watch their side lose by a two-goal
margin for the first time under Pep Guardiola.

However, the
Guardiola is confident they will be out in force next Wednesday given
Barca already beat Inter 2-0 at home in the group stages in November.

“90 minutes is very long time. The stadium will be full. Of course we can overturn this,” he said.