Julio Cesar recalls Inter's Treble win and details what made Jose Mourinho so special

The famous conquering of Pep Guardiola's Barcelona, Diego Milito's emphatic double and Jose Mourinho's warming embrace with Marco Materazzi outside the Santiago Bernabeu: Inter's 2009/10 Treble-winning campaign was like no other.

In a season that will be eternally remembered as one of the greatest in Inter's illustrious history, Mourinho inspired the Nerazzurri to an iconic Treble as they lifted the Serie A and Coppa Italia titles before upsetting all in the UEFA Champions League.

The last-16 saw Mourinho reacquaint with a former flame in Chelsea who were thriving under the stewardship of Carlo Ancelotti, and yet Inter's doggedness and resilience thwarted the Blues before a reinvigorated Samuel Eto'o ensured the Italian outfit progressed.

A more straightforward quarter-final tie with CSKA Moscow followed, but it was Inter's final four clash with Barcelona that captured the world's attention.

Mourinho wagered war against Barcelona's greatest ever team and prevailed, stifling Lionel Messi and the previously indomitable tiki-taka Guardiola implemented.

In the UEFA Champions League final, a brace from top-scorer Milito and a customary clean sheet ensured Inter achieved the unthinkable with a 2-0 triumph over Bayern Munich.

Speaking to bet365, Cesar said: “I have wonderful memories. It’s not easy for a team to achieve these types of moments, to win the three most important trophies.

“For me it was the best moment of my career. As a child, I was dreaming of becoming a professional player and then to have the opportunity to play in a Champions League final; it was amazing.

“Coming from Brazil, to arrive in Italy as a goalkeeper and nobody knows me at that time, you cherish those moments. Not just for me, but for my colleagues also."

For all of Mourinho’s stunning triumphs, his two-year stint at Internazionale was undeniably his greatest feat. Even in the storied wealth of Italy’s rich footballing history, no side had ever accomplished the Treble and and it's not been replicated since.

"I love him [Mourinho]," Cesar beamed. "For Inter fans and for everyone he was the best option as a coach.

He knew how to win the competition and I think president Massimo Moratti was right in his recruitment. Mourinho did an amazing job.

Reflecting on Mourinho's words of encouragement ahead of the final, Cesar said: "He used to come and tell me that he was going to need me during the game to make one or two saves because in that season our defense was very strong.

"The responsibility was very high, to be attentive and make one or two stops."

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Jaquob Crooke

• Inter Milan
• European Football
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