16-Year Reunion: Mourinho Leads Real Madrid Against Inter Milan at Bernabeu

In the moment the Bernabeu stadium shakes like a symphony of emotion, Jose Mourinho – the legend who led Inter Milan to the Champions League title 16 years ago – returns with the role of head coach for Real Madrid. The match between Real Madrid and Inter Milan at the home ground of Bernabeu is not just a football confrontation but a reunion full of tears and hope. Even if I am far away in Osaka, where I follow matches of Japanese club Cerezo, my heart is drawn to this match. The cheers from the Bernabeu stands still echo in me, even though Osaka has gone to sleep for the night. People do not remember the score, they remember why they could not leave the screen when Mourinho stepped onto the pitch. I imagine the Vietnamese fans in Osaka, the aunt selling drinks in front of the station, the workers finishing shifts, all sitting in front of the screen, their hearts beating in sync with the stadium cheers. That is how the pitch tells a story when there is no one left on the stands, only singing, crying and bus horns.