5 things that happened since Inter Milan last qualified for the Champions League

#1 Real Madrid end UCL drought; win thrice in 4 years

Since the Decima, Real Madrid have been a different beast in Europe

Once upon a time when Inter Milan dined at the high table of European football; matching shoulder-to-shoulder with the very best in the business, Real Madrid were struggling to even get past the first knock-out round.

In fact, when the Nerazzurris won the Champions League at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2010, Los Blancos were consigned to a last 16 exit by Ligue 1 minnows Lyon.

Such was the contrast of powers back then. But the current circumstances are starkly different.

Not only did Real Madrid end the drought with the much-coveted La Decima in 2014, but also went on to win another two Champions League crowns in the following three years. And now, stand on the cusp of a third on the trot when they take on Liverpool this weekend.

The Merengues had fallen by the wayside in Europe after the 2002 triumph. But since clinching the 10th, they’ve burnished their credentials as Europe’s most dominant force.