Inter, Milan met in another Champions League semifinal 20 years ago

MILAN: Inter Milan and AC Milan are gearing up for another “Euroderby,” almost exactly 20 years on from the last time the two storied Italian teams met in another Champions League semifinal.

Back then, Italian teams were dominating European soccer. But this is Inter’s first chance to get back into the final since they won an unprecedented treble of the league, Italian Cup and Champions League under Jose Mourinho in 2010.

Milan won the last of their seven titles in 2007.

They also won the Champions League in 2003, advancing past Inter on away goals in the semifinals and going on to beat Juventus in the final.

Both Milan teams share the iconic San Siro stadium but Inter were the nominal hosts for the second leg that time, which ended 1-1. The first match was a goalless draw.

“Those were the worst days of my long football life,” former Milan defender Alessandro Costacurta said about the period leading up to the matches. “I was already 37, I was experienced and I didn’t have to deal with performance anxiety. But it was impossible not to think constantly about those games.”

The away goals rule has been scrapped this season so if the two teams are tied on aggregate at the end of the second leg, it will go to extra time and then penalties.

The first leg is on Wednesday, with the return match the following Tuesday.

Milan also beat Inter in the 2005 quarterfinals and again made it all the way to the final in Istanbul but lost on penalties to Liverpool after leading 3-0 at halftime.

This year’s final will also be held in Istanbul.

COACHES

Inter’s coach in 2003 was Hector Cuper, while Carlo Ancelotti was in charge at Milan.

Both were in their second season at the clubs and both were under pressure.

Inter had come