Can Inter Milan's 45-year wait come to an end? (News Feature)

By Alberto Cagliano May 12, 2010, 14:04 GMT

Rome - Most of Inter Milan fans should manage to keep a relative cool if they retain the lead in the Serie A Sunday to win a fifth straight title in Siena.

For many, however, things could go out of control on May 22 if their heroes beat Bayern Munich in Madrid in the final of the Champions League and lift a continental trophy that the Interisti, at least the older ones, have waited for 45 years.

A European victory could also complete an incredible treble that became possible last week with the success in the Italian Cup against Roma.

'If we win these two games I go nuts!' wrote a fan named Eddie as he shared his growing tension in the tuttointer.com web site ('tutto' meaning all).

Coach Jose Mourinho seemed to be on the same wavelength as he said this week that he was bracing for '15 crazy days.'

The Portuguese dismissed rumours of his possible departure for Real Madrid at the end of the season, saying that 'thinking only about Siena is difficult because (the game with) Bayern will arrive soon. They are two important games and there is no room to think about myself.

'We are playing for two important titles and we all think about what we can do. None of us thinks about what he will do afterwards.'

One whose self-control could be temporarily impaired by a triumph in Spain is certainly Massimo Moratti.

Since he became club president in 1995, Moratti has dreamed to repeat the feats of his late father Angelo, who steered Inter from 1955 to 1968.

The founder of the family's oil-trading business remains the most winning president in the 102-year history of the club, with three national titles, two Champions Cups and two Intercontinental Cups won in 1964 and 1965.

Moratti has no complaints about Serie A titles, as he aims for a fifth scudetto after securing his third Italian Cup. But has little to brag on the international stage, with only a UEFA Cup win in 1998.

In Spain, he has a chance to best one of his father's records, as Inter are the only Italian side to have won national, continental and intercontinental titles in one season.

Before the possible, inebriating success, a night of passion awaits Moratti at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu, along with the fans who will manage to snatch one of the 5,000 tickets going on sale Saturday morning in a Milan bank.

Inter granted priority to season-ticket holders and members of fan clubs, but a major rush can be expect from the early hours.

Meanwhile, about 7,000 tickets for Sunday's game away to Siena were snapped up in a few hours.

The Interisti in Madrid are certainly going to be more than 5,000, though, as others must have secured part of the 11,000 tickets sold by ruling body UEFA to the general public.

Those staying at home look to setting or get close to a television-audience record, while thousands will gather under the many television screens that usually pop up for big sports events.

The city of Milan will mount a giant screen in Piazza Duomo, where the blue-black crowd has held their scudetto celebrations in the past four years, and hope to hold an even wilder Euro-style party.

As playing is concerned, fans are following with apprehension the recovery of Brazil defender Lucio and Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder, both likely to be available.

There seem to be fewer chances for Colombian full-back Ivan Cordoba and there is none for the suspended Brazilian midfielder Thiago Motta.