Follwing the Nerazzuri has been a lifelong emotional journey for our Inter fan reporter Francesco Sarchi - with plenty of highs along the way

For me, born in December 1988 during the legendary 1988/89 season of Giovanni Trapattoni’s record-breaking side, being Interista was my destiny. For me, who waited 18 years for a second Scudetto won on the field of play, being Interista has moulded my character. For me, who grew up with an AC Milan fan for an older brother, being Interista has always been a source of pride and an identity.

If I think about the Champions League, immediately I think of all the emotions the competition has given me. The terrific brace scored by Roberto Baggio against Real Madrid at the San Siro in 1998, when the Divine Ponytail overturned the Galácticos, the cup holders, in little more than 20 minutes. For many years (and still today) I tried in vain to copy some of Adriano’s exploits, such as his goal away to Basel in a 2004/05 Champions League’s qualifier. With the strength that only the Emperor was able to unleash, he literally broke through the Swiss side’s defence. 

As for games at the San Siro, I’ve been very fortunate. I don’t have to choose which match was better: Milan vs Manchester United in 2007 or Inter vs Barcelona three years later. Luckily, I was there on both occasions. In 2007, I went along with my Rossonero brother as I wanted to see United’s two young stars Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, not much older than me but who looked very good on TV. Unexpectedly, that night I understood that football is something bigger: Carlo Ancelotti made me fall even more in love with this beautiful game, beyond the colours and my Interista faith.

In 2010, I felt even more involved: this was our turn to challenge in a semi-final against the strongest team of the era. I can remember everything: the tension of the day before, the timeless wait between my arrival at the stadium and the start of the match, the formations, the suffering when the Blaugrana scored, the comeback, and then the incredulity after the historic moment I had just witnessed. Yes, the Champions League truly is where every football supporter can feel the strongest emotions!