The Champions! What a feeling hearing once again those mighty notes of the Champions League anthem, six years after Inter last played in the competition. But after the groups were sorted and we were given our opponents, numerous thoughts invaded our minds. Here are some of them:

1. We forgot what Champions League football means

We’re talking about Elite football here. Yet we still thought that we could get away with a Group D. We may have forgot that Champions League offers only the best of the best, especially after this year’s reform. The odds of having an ardous task were always against us, and indeed we landed in the same group of Messi’s Barcelona and high-flying Tottenham. Starting the draw from the lowest pot due to past rankings meant that this isn’t a matter of bad luck. We must remember that only until last May, we were dreaming to be here. Well, now we are. #InterIsHere, remember?

2. No room for error

It’s obvious to everyone that Barcelona and Tottenham are not Sassuolo and Torino, meaning that Inter must up their gear as soon as possible. I was the first one through this site to defend the Nerazzurri’s first two games from harsh criticism, but the Champions League anthem should serve as a wake-up call to Spalletti & co to improve their game and leave no room for error.

3. The Underdogs

On the other hand, with Tottenham and Barcelona favourites to pass the group, Inter have what we call the underdog status. And that brings the small benefit of having less pressure to deliver the qualification at all costs. It also means that if Inter should deliver a heroic performance and manage to make it, this competition can overturn Inter’s fortune and significantly boost the morale for this season. Personally speaking, should Inter make it at the expense of Tottenham or Barcelona to the next stage it would be already a huge leap for the club after years of absence from this prestigious competition.

4. Supporting Mourinho

We now have another reason to support our dearest Jose’ Mourinho. Not just because he’s having a bad time after a lacklustre start to the Premier League (see, we are not alone) but also because he’s now off to face our eternal rivals Juventus. Go Mourinho, make them your victim one last time.

5. Florentino Perez is still pathetic

The Champions League draw provided the Real Madrid president with another opportunity to attack Inter after the Luka Modric saga. Geez, we really were close to upset him to unnerve him in this way. On the other hand chapeau to Javier Zanetti for his classy response (“I did not hear his words, but if he said so, we will rebut in the right place at the right time”). Maybe our next president in the making?

6. 50 shades of Inter fans

Lastly, this draw taught us it is impossible, I repeat IMPOSSIBLE, to truly understand the nature of an Inter fan, despite I being one of them. I have met different reactions to the draw. From the desperate, hopeless fan giving up before even the first ball is kicked, to the super confident fan reminding us that since in 2010 we met Barca in the groups and played the final in Madrid, it’s going to be the same story. Guys, reality belongs to neither of them. Yes, we are now playing where the best teams play. Now let’s only show we deserve to be there.

James J Piscopo is a journalist based in Malta. 27 years old, he has been following Inter for more than two decades. He writes a weekly editorial exclusively for SempreInter.com