Jose Mourinho was in his finest moment as coach of Inter Milan as the Portuguese masterminded a Champions League semi final win over Barcelona despite losing 1-0 at the Nou Camp. The Serie A champions were a shining example of all the best qualities of a Mourinho side as they systematically drained the European champions’ verve and creativity in an intimidating atmosphere.

Despite Gerard Pique’s late goal, Barcelona could not find much of an opening against Inter throughout the game, troubling goalkeeper Julio Cesar only on two or three occasions while being reduced to long range shots that were often wide off the mark.

It allowed Inter to win 3-2 on aggregate after their sublime first leg showing and saw the Italian club reach their first European Cup final in 38 years – the last of which came in 1972.

It was also a moment of personal triumph for Mourinho after enduring an increasingly fractious relationship with Italian football since his arrival at Inter two seasons ago. The Portuguese has never hidden his distrust of the Italian media and will have his personal vindication completed if he leads Inter to their second ever European Cup title in next month’s Champions League final on May 22.

Inter had to play almost three quarters of the second leg with 10 men after midfielder Thiago Motta was sent off in the 28th minute for putting up his hand to Sergio Busquets’ face. The Barcelona midfielder dived theatrically but the referee had no choice but to follow the letter of the law in showing Motta the red card.

Thereafter, Inter treated Barcelona to a taste of their own medicine as they continually broke up the flow of the game and wasted precious time on the clock with their own version of simulation as defender Lucio led the parade with several trips to the turf claiming injury. It was not unlike the FC Porto of Mourinho’s time when they were often accused to have dived their way to the Portuguese club and manager’s first Champions League title.

But Inter also successfully shut out Lionel Messi for the second match in a row – putting in doubt the Argentinian’s ability to rise to the most important of occasions and when his team really needed him the most. It also showed that the Barcelona art school of football is not really quite good enough – they may be pretty to watch but functional football wins the day.

Barca coach Pep Guardiola was growing increasingly frustrated and distressed by the technical area as his players failed to shake themselves free of the Inter marking and they were often reduced to square passes in front of the Serie A side’s penalty area. When the shots came, they were usually from a far distance.

At the final whistle, Mourinho raced onto the pitch to celebrate triumphantly with his players and the club’s fans – who were not convinced by him but could now start to accept him for leading the club to 90 minutes away from what they have been working towards the past four to five years.

For Barcelona, they still have the La Liga title to play for, but a season which promised so much after winning six trophies last season, could leave the Catalan giants with nothing to show for in the end. Barcelona lead Real Madrid by a point with three matches to play, but they have looked increasingly nervous in recent matches.

It could be the last season in charge for Guardiola at the club with a change at the top coming in the summer. There needs to be a change in players as well with summer signings like Ibrahimovic severely lacking as he was shown up in the second leg. In comparison, Samuel Eto’o – the Cameroonian striker who was exchanged with Inter in the blockbuster player plus cash move, was excellent in an Inter team effort, often playing with intelligence even though the Italian club hardly had any chance at goal.

Tags: Barcelona, Inter Milan, Jose Mourinho, Lionel Messi, Match Highlights, Match Review, UEFA Champions League, Zlatan Ibrahimovic