Playing for 90
Fansided

Gareth Bale vs Inter Milan: the night a superstar was born

By Karl Harrington

MILAN, ITALY - OCTOBER 20: Gareth Bale of Tottenham Hotspur shapes to shoot and score his second goal during the UEFA Champions League Group A match between FC Internazionale Milano and Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on October 20, 2010 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY - OCTOBER 20: Gareth Bale of Tottenham Hotspur shapes to shoot and score his second goal during the UEFA Champions League Group A match between FC Internazionale Milano and Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on October 20, 2010 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Gareth Bale’s mesmeric performances against Inter Milan in 2010 are a beautiful and indelible memory for any Tottenham fan. Here is a reminiscence of the encounters before the sides meet again on Tuesday evening.

Gareth Bale at the San Siro

It was a daunting task for Harry Redknapp’s men. Inter Milan, the defending European champions, hadn’t lost on home soil in 50 games.

Spurs clearly would have wanted to keep it as tight as possible in the early goings – but as Mike Tyson once said, ’everyone has a plan ‘til they get punched in the face.’

More from Tottenham Hotspur

With just a minute on the clock Spurs took a sucker punch. The Champions League debutants were bamboozled by some crisp passing before the venerable Javier Zanetti smashed Inter in front.

Just five minutes later Tottenham looked floored. Heurelho Gomes took out Jonathan Biabiany and left the referee little choice but to send him off and award a penalty from which Samuel Eto’o doubled Inter’s advantage.

Dejan Stankovic and a ruthless Eto’o grabbed a couple more and Spurs were four down by the break. It looked a harsh lesson for Tottenham in their first big European test.

It certainly wouldn’t have been one of Redknapp’s easier half time team talks. However, judging by the events that followed one can only surmise the gaffer managed to conjure up some Churchillian words to rally his critically wounded troops.

Five minutes into the second period Gareth Bale picked the ball up well within his own half. Like a one man cavalry he galloped into enemy territory passed Maicon and Zanetti and cannoned it into the net.

Spurs may have been playing a full man down but they were only one lung less – as Gareth was clearly playing with a third.

An incredulous home crowd watched on as another mesmeric Bale run ended with a finish from an almost identical angle. “Well it was like an action replay,” lauded Richard Keys, “absolutely superb!”

And the commentator could hardly catch his breath before the ball nestled in Julio Cesar’s left corner for a third time. “This is incredible, this is quite incredible! Gareth Bale has scored a hat-trick at the San Siro.”

Unfortunately, there was not enough time for Spurs to complete one of Europe’s greatest ever comebacks. But a star was truly born under the floodlights of the San Siro and Spurs would only have to wait two weeks to get another shot.

Bale at the Lane

The momentum had inexoriablly swung in Tottenham’s favor after their second half fightback. There was zero sense of trepadation this time round and Rafael Van der Vaart put Spurs ahead after 18 minutes; but make not mistake about it – it was the Gareth Bale show yet again.

Maicon clearly feared the Welshman like online predators fear Chris Hansen after his roasting a fortnight earlier. ‘Taxi for Maicon’ rang out in the trenches as Bale showcased pace, dexterity, and artistry slalomming down the left flank at a canter. One must also remember that Maricon was widely regarded as the best right back in the world at the time making Bale’s performances even more wondrous.

Despite Bale’s perpetual runs down the wing, Inter hung on until the hour mark when Peter Crouch finally converted from a glorious Bale cross to double Spurs’ lead.

Bale stormed forward one last time in the 89th minute taking out Inter’s defense and keeper with a pinpoint cross to leave Roman Pavlyuchenko with a tap in.

“I’ve just… I’ve never seen a player do what he does,” stuttered a stunned Andy Gray. “Look at that.”

Tottenham usurped Inter to the top of the group and the Italians were happy to see the back of the Welshman.

Next. Tottenham taking massive risk with Son. dark

The sides meet again on Tuesday evening as Spurs travel to the San Siro to kick off this season’s tournament. Will another star be born in the colors of lily-white?

Home/Tottenham Hotspur