Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has recalled the 'cage' he set up to stop Lionel Messi and defeat Barcelona while Inter Milan coach.

On their way to winning the 2010 Champions League final, Inter defeated Barca in the semifinal, winning 3-1 at the San Siro before losing 1-0 at the Nou Camp to advance.

"After the game, the Italian press used the concept 'gabbia' (cage) to stop Messi," recalled Mourinho.

"In the end we did not pressure man to man but with Zanetti, Motta, Cambiasso ... everyone was responsible for the area that Messi went to.

"Even if he fell to the left, Motta followed and Sneijder would go down a bit. Our defensive style was based on this positional issue."

Mourinho would guide Inter to an historic Treble that year.