Jose Mourinho has reflected on a pivotal discussion with Massimo Moratti that shaped Inter Milan's victorious 2010 Champions League campaign.
Former Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho has revealed how Massimo Moratti took his advice on players that the Nerazzurri needed to claim the Champions League in 2010.
Despite winning the league in year one in Italy, Mourinho's Inter were eliminated in the first knockout round in Europe, suffering a 2-0 aggregate defeat to eventual runners-up Manchester United.
How Mourinho and Moratti masterminded Inter's European success
In his BBC Sport documentary " How to win the Champions League", the experienced Portuguese manager has recounted a conversation he had with Moratti that ultimately led to the 2010 Champions League success.
"I had a phenomenal president, Mr Moratti," said Mourinho. "'Mourinho, what do we need to win the Champions League?'
"And I told him immediately, I need a faster centre-back that allows me to play a higher line. That was Lucio at centre-back.
"I need a creative midfielder, that was Wesley Sneijder. And I need one attacking player that in the crucial moment is going to be there for us.
"We bought Milito from Genoa. We sold Ibrahimovic to Barcelona and we took Eto'o in the business with Zlatan.
"The team had everything. The three bits arrived and then the next season was our season."
How have Inter fared in the Champions League since?
In the present day, Inter have made two Champions League deciders in the last three years under Simone Inzaghi.
The Nerazzurri were narrowly beaten by Manchester City in 2023, but have another chance to claim a fourth European Cup, having defeated Barcelona 7-6 on aggregate in a wildly exciting Champions League semi-final this season.
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