From Milano to the Final, 13 years later

On May 22nd, 2010, as Javier Zanetti is lifting into the Madrid sky the third Champions League in Inter Milan's history, Massimo Marianella's TV commentary marks a moment that will forever stand in the Nerazzurri's history. "Inter has been waiting 45 years for this moment!" shouts the commentator, in a form of liberation for all the Inter fans, who had not triumphed in Europe's most important competition for almost half a century. Last night, beating AC Milan in the second leg of the UCL semifinal, Inter secured their chance to try again to win the Champions League. In the 13 years since the Madrid Final, supporters have seen several dark seasons, then a return to the Scudetto, a Europa League final loss against Siviglia (2020), and now this new chance. 

Time has stretched out over these years, as have the 180 minutes of the double-header against AC Milan, which once over set off a celebration outside the San Siro Stadium, with smoke bombs coloring black and blue the Milan sky. From the historic Curva Nord bar to the sandwich stalls, the Meazza car park was turned into a feast, which then moved to Piazza Duomo until late at night. Photographer Federico Hurth got to the heart of the celebrations, among the scarves used as a sign of belonging and the tattoos on the skin of many fans. The final in Istanbul is 24 days away, and Inter has been waiting 13 years for this moment.