Inter's time is coming. In every championship season, there comes a moment that proves to be the definitive challenge for a team. Usually it's a match, sometimes it's a transfer, other times a press conference gone horribly wrong (Kevin Keegan, anyone?) or indeed well. Often this moment is preceded by smaller challenges, each an obstacle to greatness in themselves, each slightly bigger than the previous one. But they are all preludes to that big, critical moment when the team in question must finally rise to the challenge and define their season - go on to glory or fall by the wayside.

On February 21, 2007, Inter take on Valencia at the San Siro. Two weeks later they meet again at the Mestella. For Internazionale, this tie is the defining point of their season. If they can beat the Ches, they may well go on to win the Champions League in addition to the Serie A title.

So far this season, Inter have disposed of Milan with ridiculous ease, banishing some demons from earlier hidings they received in that fixture (a Maurizio Ganz-inspired 6-0 win in May 2001 comes to mind). They have beaten erstwhile contenders Palermo as well as second-place Roma, both away from home. Those matches may have settled the issue on the domestic front, lending an inevitability to the notion that the Nerazzuri may, indeed, finally win the title again. However, they cannot finish the season having fulfilled their potential and ambition if they do not come close to winning the Champions League as well – and this could be their best chance. So far they have answered all the critics to lay the foundation for a memorable season. To that end, the match against Valencia is more seminal than any other tie this season.

Arsenal's 2003-04 unbeaten season was forged in the heated cauldron of a Premiership where more physical and better-heeled teams sought to knock them off their perch with brawn and money. As much as the draws against Manchester United counted - notably the 0-0 stalemate at Old Trafford - Arsenal's crucial moment came when they went into the half-time break 2-1 down against Liverpool, days after having been knocked out of both the Champions League and FA Cup. On that occasion, Thierry Henry scored a hat-trick and single-handedly dragged Arsenal back into the match and on to the league title, unbeaten, unconquered, invincible.

Likewise, Arsenal's league and Cup doubles in both 2002 and 1998 were sealed with comprehensive wins at Old Trafford both times - step forward Marc Overmars and Sylvain Wiltord.

Barcelona's first league title under Frank Rijkaard was cemented with a clinical win over arch-rivals Real Madrid. Milan's unbeaten season in 1991-92 was based as much on the zero in the losses column as on the win over Juventus in the Del Alpi.