By Fatma Younis
An image of Inter defender Marco Materazzi leaning on the shoulder of AC Milan attacker Rui Costa has become an enduring symbol of the fierce local rivalry between the two clubs. The photograph was captured by Reuters photographer Stefano Rellandini during the 2005 Champions League quarter-final second leg at the San Siro, a match that was abandoned after flares and objects rained down from the Inter stands.
The photographer's perspective
Rellandini recalls that the atmosphere was typical for a Milan derby, with elaborate choreography from the supporters creating intense adrenaline. He noticed a brief moment amid the chaos: Materazzi, known for his physical style, placed his elbow on the shoulder of the more elegant Rui Costa for several seconds. Rellandini had only a single frame in that sequence, but it became the defining image of the fixture.
The match and the flare incident
Milan led 3-0 on aggregate after goals from Stam and Shevchenko in the first leg and a Shevchenko strike early in the second leg. With just under 20 minutes remaining, Inter midfielder Esteban Cambiasso appeared to head in a corner, but the goal was disallowed for a foul on goalkeeper Dida by Julio Cruz. Inter fans reacted by throwing flares and bottles onto the pitch. One flare struck Dida on the shoulder, causing first-degree burns. Referee Markus Merk halted the match for nearly 30 minutes before attempting a restart, but with debris still falling, he abandoned the fixture. UEFA later awarded the tie to Milan.
Background and rivalry
The tension had been building for years. Milan had eliminated Inter on away goals in the 2003 semi-finals and went on to win the title. Inter, backed by chairman Massimo Moratti's heavy spending, had failed to translate investment into silverware, earning the mocking label of "August champions." Rumors of corruption in Italian football, which later erupted as the Calciopoli scandal, added to the frustration among Inter supporters.
Aftermath and legacy
UEFA fined Inter £132,000 — its largest fine at the time — and ordered four European home games behind closed doors. Milan reached the 2005 final but lost to Liverpool in Istanbul, then won the trophy two years later in Athens. The Calciopoli scandal saw Juventus relegated and Milan docked points, paving the way for Inter to win five consecutive Serie A titles, culminating in a treble under Jose Mourinho in 2010. Neither side has won the Champions League since.
