Iconic Image Captures Tumultuous Milan Derby

The intense rivalry between AC Milan and Inter Milan, known as the Derby della Madonnina, has produced many memorable moments, but one image, captured 21 years ago, stands out for its depiction of raw emotion amidst chaos. The photograph shows AC Milan's Rui Costa and Inter's Marco Materazzi pausing in a haze of red smoke and flares, with Materazzi's elbow resting on Costa's shoulder.

Photographer Stefano Rellandini, who was working for Reuters at the time, described the moment: "Everyone was focused on the flares, on the smoke. But near the centre of the pitch I saw a certain moment. So when I saw that, I shot it. I have just one frame in that sequence. That was the moment."

The image is intrinsically linked to the 2005 Champions League quarter-final second leg between the two Milan clubs. The match was abandoned with 73 minutes played after Inter fans threw flares and other objects onto the pitch, one of which struck and injured AC Milan goalkeeper Dida.

The match was later awarded to AC Milan, who were leading 3-0 on aggregate. Rellandini recalled the atmosphere at the San Siro that night as "always strong." He added, "It is always strong. They don't fight a lot, but the choreography of the supporters is huge and great, so you can really feel it, even if you're not a player."

The tension escalated after Esteban Cambiasso's goal for Inter was disallowed. Rellandini described the aftermath: "The Inter Milan supporters were freaking out. They started throwing down objects, flares, and did not stop for about 15 or 20 minutes. It was something like a war."

This fixture carried significant historical weight. AC Milan had eliminated Inter on away goals two years prior, eventually reaching the final. Milan also entered the 2004-05 season as Italian champions. The club had built a formidable team under manager Carlo Ancelotti, featuring players like Cafu, Alessandro Nesta, Paolo Maldini, Andrea Pirlo, and Kak The rivalry was fueled by financial disparities and the perception of an unfair race for domestic titles, with Milan and Juventus often dominating Serie A. Inter had invested heavily in players like Christian Vieri and Ronaldo in attempts to compete.

By 2005, Inter's midfield was bolstered by Argentinians Cambiasso and Juan Sebastian Veron, with Brazilian forward Adriano enjoying a prolific season. Despite improvements, the team carried the mocking nickname 'August champions' among rivals, suggesting their ambitions often fell short by the season's end.

Adding to the background tension, rumors of match-fixing and corruption were beginning to surface, later culminating in the Calciopoli scandal in 2006, which saw Juventus relegated and other clubs, including Milan, docked points.

In the 2005 quarter-final first leg, AC Milan had established a two-goal lead. Despite this, Inter supporters were hopeful of a comeback in the second leg, held at their shared San Siro stadium.

Alessandro Costacurta, a Milan player, described the derby matches as the "worst" days of his career due to the emotional turmoil and tension. Teammate Paolo Maldini noted an "electricity" across the city, and Andriy Shevchenko recalled struggling to sleep and seeing an increase in club colors displayed around Milan as the games approached.

During the second leg, Andriy Shevchenko opened the scoring for AC Milan. The forward had earlier avoided punishment for an apparent headbutt on Materazzi, further fueling Inter's frustration, along with a disallowed goal that fans believed should have been a penalty.

The decisive moment came when Cambiasso's header was ruled out for a foul on goalkeeper Dida. Immediately, flares began raining down from the Inter supporters' section, blanketing the pitch. Dida sustained first-degree burns to his shoulder after being hit by a flare while trying to clear objects from his penalty area.

Players from both teams gathered, with captains Maldini, Cambiasso, and Javier Zanetti attempting to reason with the referee. Inter players also assisted firefighters in clearing debris from the goalmouth.

Despite a stoppage of nearly half an hour, the barrage of objects continued. Referee Markus Merk ultimately abandoned the match, a decision supported by AC Milan captain Maldini, who acknowledged the referee's attempt to restart the game. AC Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti called the incident a "disgraceful episode."

UEFA fined Inter £132,000 and ordered them to play four European matches behind closed doors. A UEFA spokesperson stated at the time that the fine was the largest in the organization's history and acknowledged that opinions on its severity would vary.

AC Milan advanced to the semi-finals, defeating PSV Eindhoven on away goals. They reached the Champions League final but lost to Liverpool in a dramatic penalty shootout. Two years later, Milan would get revenge against Liverpool in the final.

However, domestically, Inter's period of dominance began following the Calciopoli scandal, as they were awarded the 2006 Serie A title and secured four consecutive league championships, including a historic Treble in the 2009-10 season under Jose Mourinho. Neither Milan club has won the Champions League since.