MILAN – Diego Milito, on his return to visit the Inter headquarters for the newest episode of Memorabilia, looked back joyfully on some of the great moments he experienced during his spell with the Nerazzurri.
"Being here, in this room, seeing these trophies again, it’s very emotional. I still get goose bumps," the Argentine said.
"I have a great relationship with the fans. From the moment I arrived here in Milan, they always treated me so well and I always sought to repay their affection with my performances out on the pitch."
Milito had a chance to reacquaint himself with the Inter supporters just before the team took on Juventus, a moment he greatly appreciated: "I’m so happy with the way they welcomed me back."
"I was lucky enough to score in many different derby matches. They are always special games, and goals in those matches really stay with you. For us as players and for the fans it meant a lot, they are heartfelt and unique games."
The Inter striker arrived in Milan at the start of the 2009/10 season, a historic one for the club.
"Many of the players in that team had a point to prove. We were united from the outset, in our goal of finishing as high as possible and reaching our objectives. It was an extraordinary group of quality players and an extraordinary manager. We won the derby, we stopped Barcelona winning in the group stages of the Champions League and perhaps that was where our march began."
Another important victory was the one away in Kiev, which allowed the Nerazzurri to progress to the round of 16, where they met Chelsea.
"When we drew Chelsea, there was a weight on us, because we hadn’t got past that stage for a few years. At Stamford Bridge we played one of our best games and progressed."
Before Inter reached their three "finals", there was a series of three huge games, against Juventus, Barcelona and Atalanta. That was followed by Roma’s match against Sampdoria, which Milito and his team-mates watched with interest.
"We were all together, eating pizza and watching the game. As a former Genoa player, I could never have imagined celebrating two Sampdoria goals in that way. At that time, though, I was an Inter player and it was important that Roma didn’t pick up any points."
Then at the end of that memorable season came perhaps the most important goals of all, in the matches that decided the fate of Inter’s campaign.
"Against Siena, Javier [Zanetti] came up with a great bit of play. It was a tough match because we just couldn’t unlock the door."
The crowning moment came in Madrid, in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich, another game decided by Milito’s keen eye for goal.
"We came into the game in the right shape. Having already won two trophies, the pressure was taken off us slightly. A bit of fear helps you take on the biggest of challenges. It gives you the right level of adrenaline."
