Inter legend Julio Cesar admits people still ask him how he managed to make that crucial save on Leo Messi in 2010 and believes André Onana needs no suggestion ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League clash at the Nou Camp.
The Nerazzurri are preparing to face the Catalans at the Nou Camp tomorrow after last week’s 1-0 at San Siro.
Julio Cesar was the Inter goalkeeper in 2009-10 when the Nerazzurri, coached by José Mourinho, won the treble and managed to eliminate Pep Guardiola’s side from the semifinals.
The ex-Brazil international pulled off an amazing save on Leo Messi in the return leg at the Nou Camp.
“I don’t know if it was the best one, but it is surely the most famous and important. Everyone remembers it. Still today, people ask me how I managed to do it,” he told La Gazzetta Dello Sport.
So, what was his secret?
“I stretched well,” he said, smiling.
“But the question is: how did Inter manage such an impressive performance? Barcelona were regarded as the best team in the world at that time, it was hard to beat them 11 vs. 11; imagine being down to one man.
“The red card to Thiago Mota united us even more, it was our night. We played as a unit and we didn’t risk much.”
Does he see any similarity between that match and tomorrow’s meeting?
“This is a different game, we can’t put a semifinal and a group-stage game on the same level. Obviously, Inter will have to keep their nerves as we did.
“I think Inter need a solid performance, with organization, and can even play to win. They’ll have some chances and will have to make the most of them. They will suffer for sure, but they’ll have to resist.”
André Onana will start in goal and seems on the verge of becoming the starting goalkeeper at Inter after making his Serie A debut against Sassuolo on Saturday.
“It’s such an important game that he needs no advice,” said Julio Cesar.
“He has grown at Barcelona, so he will have extra motivation. Once upon a time, their No.1 threat was Leo Messi; now it’s Robert Lewandowski, I wish Onana would make another great save.”