Inter keep European honours in Milan

The European Champion Clubs' Cup had new holders but the same home as FC Internazionale Milano defeated Real Madrid CF 3-1 to take over from AC Milan as continental title holders.

Catenaccio and contropiede – deep defence and counterattack – were the keys to Inter's success at Praterstadion against a Spanish side hoping to do in the ninth edition of the European Cup what they managed in the first five.

But then Inter coach Helenio Herrera knew Madrid only too well from his spell in charge of arch-rivals FC Barcelona. The Argentinean tactician fielded an ultra-defensive lineup with a rigid man-to-man marking system.

Giacinto Facchetti controlled Amancio Amaro and Tarcisio Burgnich marked Francisco Gento, while Aristide Guarnieri and Carlo Tagnin were against Ferenc Puskás and Alfredo Di Stéfano respectively, and behind them all was the libero, Armando Picchi.

Inter, however, were not all about containment, and posed a danger throughout with their counterattacks. Playmaker Luis Suárez, formerly of Barcelona, and midfielder Mario Corso were constantly trying to find quick forwards Sandro Mazzola and Jair with precise passes in the spaces left by Madrid.

The Blancos could find no way past Inter's defenders in the first half and the Nerazzurri took the lead through Mazzola two minutes before the break. The Spanish team tried to react but Aurelio Milani doubled the lead not long after the hour.

Madrid now forced Inter deep into their own territory and their efforts were repaid seven minutes later, when midfielder Felo scored.

The goal gave Madrid even more courage and their whole team joined the search for an equaliser, but Inter managed to resist, and 14 minutes before the final whistle Mazzola scored his second goal of the match – and seventh in the competition – after a spectacular solo run and a cool finish.

Inter thus joined Milan, SL Benfica and, of course, Madrid on the roll of honour.