As AC Milan and Inter Milan prepare to renew their storied rivalry on Saturday, 31 October—broadcast live from 19:40 GMT on BBC Two, iPlayer, and BBC Alba—football fans are reminded of the fixture's most defining visual. Captured by Reuters photographer Stefano Rellandini 21 years ago, the image of Inter defender Marco Materazzi resting his elbow on the shoulder of Milan playmaker Rui Costa against a backdrop of thick red smoke remains the ultimate symbol of local derby intensity.
That brief pause between contrasting footballers—Materazzi's rugged brawn juxtaposed with Rui Costa's artistic grace—unfolded during the chaotic conclusion of their 2005 Champions League quarter-final second leg. Holding a 2-0 aggregate lead courtesy of first-leg goals from Jaap Stam and Andriy Shevchenko, Milan stretched their control when Shevchenko beat Francesco Toldo with a left-footed strike from distance. Tempers flared, however, after referee Markus Merk disallowed an Esteban Cambiasso header from a Juan Sebastian Veron corner due to an alleged foul by Julio Cruz on Milan goalkeeper Dida.
The decision sparked outrage from Inter supporters in the Curva Nord, who bombarded the San Siro turf with pyrotechnics and debris for nearly 20 minutes in scenes Rellandini likened to a war. Dida was struck on the shoulder by a flare as he attempted to clear his penalty box, leaving him with burns. Players including Paolo Maldini, Javier Zanetti, and Cambiasso remonstrated with the referee before Merk ultimately abandoned the tie with 73 minutes played, resulting in Milan being awarded a 3-0 aggregate victory.
The explosion of frustration reflected deep-seated pressures, with Inter fans weary of the 'August champions' moniker after watching Carlo Ancelotti's star-laden Milan and Juventus dominate Italian football despite massive spending by chairman Massimo Moratti. Former Milan stars like Alessandro Costacurta and Maldini recalled sleepless nights and an unavoidable electricity consuming the city before these encounters—a profound competitive tension that resumes as the San Siro heavyweights meet once again this weekend.