MILAN - 'Dolor, pero con la frente bien alta'. Pain but with heads held high. That's how Independiente's official site reports the club's relegation to the Argentine Segunda Division. In Argentina the media have played on the fact that the Red Devils have been sent into footballing hell by the Pope's team, San Lorenzo. In any case it was a day of despair following the Rey de Copas' first relegation in their glorious 108-year history (16 league championships, 7 Copa Libertadores, 2 Intercontinental titles).
Why are we reporting it here? Because Independiente were the prestigious opposition Helenio Herrera's Grande Inter faced in the Intercontinental Cup in 1964 and 1965. Back in the day, the final was a two-legged affair and in 1964 it even went to a play-off, meaning three meetings in the space of three September weeks. The first was won by the Argentines on home soil, Rodriguez the scorer. The Nerazzurri then triumphed 2-0 in the return leg in Milan thanks to Mazzola and Corso, but since goal difference didn't count - only the result - a decisive play-off was held at the Bernabeu in Madrid. Mario Corso netted the only goal in extra time, after 110 minutes of play.
A year later the same two sides contested the trophy again, but this time it was a very different story. 3-0 in San Siro, Peirò breaking the deadlock after just three minutes before Mazzola grabbed a brace. 0-0 in the second leg. Inter were world champions again.
