Headline: Massimo Moratti Reflects on Inter Milan’s 2010 Treble and Key Transfers
Former Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has shared insights about his time at the club, particularly emphasizing the team’s remarkable treble achievement in 2010.
In a recent interview, Moratti expressed that defeating Barcelona in the Champions League semifinals was more enjoyable for him than winning the final against Bayern Munich.
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He also discussed his decision to permit Jose Mourinho to join Real Madrid, a move that sparked interest given the intense rivalry between the clubs.
Moratti on Inter Milan’s triumph over Barcelona
During his conversation with AS (h/t SPORT), Moratti fondly recalled one of the highlights of his presidency, particularly relishing the team’s semifinal win over Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.
Moratti was proud to have won against Barcelona. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho’s Inter triumphed over the Catalan side in a thrilling semifinal before overcoming Bayern Munich 2-0 in the final at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Diego Milito scoring both goals. However, for Moratti, the ecstasy of eliminating Barça at Camp Nou stood out as the most memorable moment.
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“I was happier at the Camp Nou. I celebrated reaching the final even more after eliminating Pep’s Barça than after beating Bayern 2-0 at the Bernabeu. It was all sensational, without a doubt. Unforgettable,” he stated.
On Ronaldo and letting Mourinho go
Moratti also reminisced about another significant moment with Barcelona, the signing of Ronaldo Nazario in 1997, which he described as more manageable than many believed.
Ronaldo joined Inter under Moratti. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
“Barça set a price. Perhaps they thought it was high, but for me it wasn’t. I saw it as interesting, affordable. It was manageable.
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They regretted it, but it was too late. The agreement with Inter was finalized. Ronaldo was delighted to come and play in Italy, he recounted.
Moratti also expressed a mature perspective on Mourinho’s departure to Real Madrid in 2010, indicating that he harbored no resentment over the Portuguese coach moving to a rival.
He acknowledged that Mourinho had a longstanding desire to prove himself in Spain and that he would not hinder his ambitions.
Despite no longer being linked with Inter Milan, Moratti noted that Barcelona still seeks vengeance against the Italian club after their recent defeat in the Champions League.
