Devotion and delirium. Inter at Barça.

Words: Giulia Sala

Images: Giulia Sala

There are matches that, once you’ve experienced them at the stadium, you know for certain will stay with you forever.

Indelible memories that make football (for me) the most beautiful sport in the world.

What I experienced on the 30th of April was one of those moments.

I left Milan with a couple of friends, heading to Barcelona by car, about 1000 km.

A trip that wasn’t even planned, since I didn’t know if I’d manage to get a ticket — one of the 3,000 available for the away end at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, the temporary home while the Camp Nou is being renovated.

We arrived in Barcelona with barely an hour and a half of sleep, just enough time to grab something to eat, have a quick shower, and get ready to meet up with other friends who had also made the trip to support the boys.

It was a match that, according to the newspapers, Barça were expected to win with ease, especially after Inter’s recent form: knocked out of the Coppa Italia by our “cousins” AC Milan, and two Serie A defeats that allowed Napoli to go three points clear with only four games to go.

©Giulia Sala/ Terrace Edition. Interisti in Barcelona.

But we Interisti are used to suffering. And for those like me, who started supporting the Nerazzurri during less trophy-laden times, it’s impossible not to be there — heart and soul — to fight alongside the team.

It had been a long time since I’d been on a European away trip like this, and I was incredibly emotional. A Champions League semi-final inevitably fills any true fan with a mix of anxiety and excitement.

As we marched toward the stadium, the tension kept building. The police slowly escorted us along the roads leading up to Montjuïc hill.

I ran into friends I didn’t even know were coming, we sang, had a few beers… the classic pre-match atmosphere of an away day, all under a sun that already felt like summer.

The stadium, formerly known as the Estadi de Montjuïc, sits on the hilltop and the panoramic road leading there felt never-ending.

Then suddenly, boom: you’re inside. You find your seat, enjoy the sunset, and try to calm your nerves while waiting for kick-off, sipping (sadly) non-alcoholic beer and chatting with fellow fans who share the same passion.

21:00 — kick-off. And just 30 seconds in, unbelievably, Thuram scores an absolute beauty that has us all erupting with joy.

I nearly fall, but we’re packed so tightly together that I stay upright and soak in the happiness of seeing him return from injury. I couldn’t have asked for a better start.

It wasn’t an easy game though. This Barça side is young, fast, plays a high press, and they’ve got a player — Yamal — who, at just 17 and already with 100 first-team appearances, is both frightening and awe-inspiring.

We were all in a mix of ecstasy and tension.

They kept pressing high, but then: the second goal! A sort of bicycle kick from Denzel Dumfries that silences their fans and sends us into raptures. I nearly dislocated my shoulder trying not to fall in the delirium of that moment!

But it was only the 21st minute. Still a long way to go. And just three minutes later, at 24’, Yamal scores a masterpiece to bring us back down to earth.

Still, we keep singing nonstop. We don’t know if the players can hear us (the acoustics in this stadium aren’t great) but we don’t stop, even when Barça equalise at 38’.

The first half ends level, but we’re buzzing. There’s hope, because we’ve seen the team’s fighting spirit.

The second half begins. We clap, sing, and try to keep rhythm despite not having drums, which were banned for this trip.

Barcelona continue their high press. I have about three or four heart attacks, thanks to Yamal’s brilliance and the fact that Lautaro goes off at 46’, we’re all hoping it’s nothing serious.

Anxiety builds. There are moments of frustration — wasted passes, poor touches — but then, in the 63rd minute, from a corner, Dumfries scores again and we’re back in the lead!

More madness, more joy… but it doesn’t last long. At 65’, Barça score again (another stunning goal).

We don’t give up though. The match isn’t over: this is a Champions League semi-final. Every passing minute is agony.

The tension rises. No one wants to let go. More heart attacks. Then, boom Mkhitaryan scores!

But joy turns to disbelief as the goal is ruled out for offside. The next day, watching the replay, I see just how incredibly tight it was.

The match ends 3–3.

We’ll decide it at our place at the “Scala del calcio”, San Siro. I’m certain the whole stadium will act as the twelfth man, giving warmth and love to push the boys through this incredible challenge.

I’m ready to live another magical Champions League night.

©Giulia Sala/ Terrace Edition. Stickers Barcelona.

©Giulia Sala/ Terrace Edition. Barcelona police.

©Giulia Sala/ Terrace Edition. Montjuïc Communications Tower. Barcelona.

Giulia is on Instagram: @giuly_182

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