Why Jose Mourinho was given garden sprinkler by journalist ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League clash against Inter Milan

A journalist presented Jose Mourinho with a garden sprinkler ahead of Real Madrid's clash against Inter Milan - a nod to one of the most famous nights in recent Champions League history.

Mourinho will take charge of his first Champions League game of the season on Tuesday night, when Los Blancos take on his former club at the Bernabeu.

The self-proclaimed 'Special One' has some fond memories from his two-year spell at Inter, with one of the standout moments being a memorable win over Barcelona in the 2010 Champions League.

For those unaware, the Italian side reached their first European Cup final since 1972 after beating Barca 3-2 on aggregate, and they celebrated under the Camp Nou sprinklers in a now-iconic scene.

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Jose Mourinho gifted sprinkler by journalist ahead of Real Madrid vs Inter Milan

To mark Tuesday's fixture, Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri reminded Mourinho of that night in Barcelona, when he handed over a garden sprinkler as the Portuguese manager was about to leave his latest press conference.

An amused Mourinho was happy to take the memento and shook hands with the reporter before leaving.

Jose Mourinho is handed a garden sprinkler. Image credit: X

Speaking ahead of the press conference, Palmeri said on camera that he would try and give the sprinkler to Mourinho. "The mission is very difficult, almost impossible, to get a gift to Mourinho," he said. "It's difficult, but we'll try."

The tactics Jose Mourinho used to beat Barcelona in 2010

Mourinho spared no expense in preparing for Inter's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona.

Despite the holders taking an early lead through Pedro, the Serie A side came from behind to win 3-1 at the San Siro thanks to goals from Wesley Sneijder, Maicon and Diego Milito.

A week later, Inter produced a defensive masterclass to concede just once, handing them a place in the final against Bayern Munich - a match they would go on to win.

The secret to Inter's success against one of the greatest teams of all time? Keeping a certain magician quiet.

"There was a combination of ideas, but basically everything was around not letting Messi play," he told the Coaches' Voice in 2019.

"In Italy they were using the word 'Gabbia'. I think the real translation is like a jail for Messi. Because in the end we didn't play man-to-man, but Zanetti, Motta, Cambiasso, everybody was responsible for any position that Messi could go."