It is 20 years ago today since a Newcastle United side managed by Sir Bobby Robson ran out at the iconic San Siro to face Inter Milan in the second group stage of the Champions League.
Having produced a record-breaking run to reach the second phase after losing their first three games in the competition, the Magpies were backed by over 12,000 supporters in one of world football’s most beloved stadiums. An intense battle, full of grit and determination, not to mention some of the dark arts, was played out as Robson’s side came close to what would have been one of the most famous wins in their history.
Two goals from captain Alan Shearer were not enough to give United three points that would have given them a good chance of extending their run in competition as Christian Vieri and Ivan Cordoba helped Inter cancel out the Magpies striker’s double and claim a point.
But with the present-day Magpies looking to return to European football’s premier cup competition, the memories of that night in the San Siro are flooding back and will live on for years to come. NewcastleWorld looks back at the men wearing black and white on one of the most memorable nights in their recent history.
1. Where are they now: The Newcastle United side that faced Inter Milan in the San Siro in March 2003
2. Manager: Sir Bobby Robson
Leading the Magpies to a fourth placed finish before the end of the season and to the UEFA Cup semi-finals 12 months later, Robson left St James Park in the first month of a 2004/05 season. It would bring an end a memorable career in the dugout. Acting as a consultant to then-Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton, Sir Bobby was diagnosed with cancer for the fifth time in 2007 and passed away just over two years later. His legacy lives on with a statue at St James Park and the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, a cancer charity that has raised over £18m over the last 15 years. Photo: Getty Images
3. GK: Shay Given
Given remained at St James Park for a further six years after that night in the San Siro before joining Manchester City. Spells with Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Stoke City rounded off his career before he moved into coaching with Aston Villa and Derby County. Given is also a regular pundit on Amazon, Sky Sports and BT Sport and has returned to St James Park to cover Newcastle games on several occasions. Photo: Getty Images
4. RB: Andy Griffin
Griffin left Newcastle to move to Portsmouth at the end of the 2003/04 season and had spells with Derby County, Stoke City, Reading, Doncaster Rovers and Chester before retiring in 2004. Griffin coached at Newcastle-Under-Lyme College after the end of his playing career and runs his own academy. Photo: Getty Images