AC Milan v Inter and the tale of an iconic image
Photographer Stefano Rellandini’s image of Inter defender Marco Materazzi resting an elbow on AC Milan’s Rui Costa has become a defining picture of the Milan derby. It was taken during a chaotic 2005 Champions League quarter-final second leg, capturing a brief still moment amid flares and smoke as the match was abandoned.
The referee stopped the game after Inter supporters threw flares and other objects on to the pitch, and Milan goalkeeper Dida was struck and injured. Milan were leading 3-0 on aggregate, and the tie was awarded to them. Rellandini says he saw the contrasting players near the centre of the pitch and captured the moment in a single frame; the rivalry had also been sharpened by Milan’s previous success against Inter and the clubs’ competition for major honours.
In short
- A single photograph became a symbol of the Milan derby.
- The 2005 match was abandoned after objects and flares hit the pitch.
- Milan were awarded the tie while leading 3-0 on aggregate.
Explained simply
AC Milan and Inter are two football clubs from the same city, and their meetings are known as the Milan derby. They share the San Siro stadium and have long competed for supporters and major honours.
In 2005, they met in a Champions League quarter-final, with Milan leading the tie when the second leg was halted. The match was abandoned after flares and other objects were thrown on to the pitch, and Milan goalkeeper Dida was injured; Milan were awarded the tie.
The photograph shows Inter defender Marco Materazzi beside Milan midfielder Rui Costa during the disorder. Its quiet pose amid the smoke and chaos made it a lasting image of a rivalry that is played out on the same ground.