The next day, on the night of the match, the Meazza Stadium was packed to the brim. The Serie A season had started a little later than usual, and Inter Milan had just come off a narrow 1–0 win over Cagliari.
It was a difficult victory—one that didn't match Inter Milan's status. Even if Moratti was happy with the three points, he certainly wasn't pleased with the manner in which they were earned. And if Luigi Simoni wanted to keep his position as Inter's head coach, he would need to go all out tonight.
Before kickoff, Moratti had invited Richard to watch from his VIP room, but Richard politely declined, suggesting they sit separately. After all, the worry etched on Moratti's face was unmistakable—a solemn, heavy expression that made him look as if he were attending a funeral rather than a Champions League match.
Richard even joked internally, "That face looks like someone who just walked away from a cemetery."
