None seemed more unlikely than this semifinal matchup against Barca, whose dizzying passing attack allows it to score in bunches, especially on its home ground.

WSJ: Barcelona: From Matador to Bull

This was a classic match-up of Inter's defence against Barca's attack, though Mourinho's side did have a brief glimpse of goal when Samuel Eto'o found himself in space in the box from Wesley Sneider's cross, only for his touch to allow Pedro to get back and clear.

BBC: Barcelona 1-0 Inter (agg 2-3)

Lucescu's half-time teamtalk must have focused on damage limitation, but against a Barca team committed to wave after wave of attack and with a monopoly on possession it was an almost impossible task.

BBC: Barcelona 5-1 Shakhtar Donetsk