AC Milan v Inter and the tale of an iconic image

What the report says

BBC Sport Football looks back at one of the most recognisable images from the Milan derby, as AC Milan and Inter prepare to meet again live on the BBC. The picture, taken by Reuters photographer Stefano Rellandini, shows Inter defender Marco Materazzi leaning on AC Milan midfielder Rui Costa during the turbulent second leg of their 2005 Champions League quarter-final.

According to BBC Sport, the image was captured amid heavy red smoke, flares and a highly charged atmosphere at the San Siro. The match was eventually abandoned after objects were thrown from the stands, with Milan goalkeeper Dida hit by a flare. The tie was later awarded to Milan, who had been leading 3-0 on aggregate after the first leg.

The article places the incident in the broader context of the fierce rivalry between the clubs and the wider pressure in Italian football at the time. It notes that Milan had been a dominant force in Europe, while Inter were trying to close the gap through major spending but had not yet matched their rivals’ success. The piece also references the tensions that surrounded the 2005 season and the scrutiny Italian football would later face in the Calciopoli scandal.

Beyond the dramatic image, the story underlines how the derby has often been more than a match: a symbol of the city’s sporting identity, with emotion, rivalry and high stakes colliding on the pitch.