Despite Juventus' standing as a European heavyweight, most would agree that they are not quite on the level of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Italian football as a whole has declined since some glorious years in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

But Jose Mourinho's treble winning Inter Milan side of the 2009 season was an exception to the rule.

The Nerazzurri won Serie A, the Champions League and the Coppo Italia that year and although they have fallen from contention since, the team they had that year was ludicrous.

Here's an overview of the incredible squad the Special One had at his disposal. And this team was able to let Patrick Vieira and Brazilian winger Mancini go in January!

Francesco Toldo

Gianluigi Buffon is rightly regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers ever, but Toldo was legendary in his own right. He retired at the climax of the treble-winning season aged 38.

Julio Cesar

The former QPR stopper was the Inter number one during their famous campaign and the club only conceded 34 goals in the league, under one a game.

Ivan Cordoba

The rapid Colombian defender had unbelievable athleticism that made him one of the most daunting defenders to face. He spent 12 years at the San Siro and never played for another European club.

Javier Zanetti

Simply the legend. Zanetti only retired in 2014 after amassing 858 appearances for Inter and 143 for Argentina. Inter have now retired his famous number four and he is remembered as one of the all-time greats.

Lucio

The tall Brazilian was the definition of a footballing centre-half. He was well-known to maraud forward and chip in with goals. At the age of 38, the 2002 World Cup winner is still playing with FC Goa in India.

Maicon

The former Manchester City full-back was in the conversation for best full-back in the world during this treble winning season. He spent six years with Inter and won 76 caps for Brazil.

Walter Samuel

The Argentinian hard man continues the South American trend in this Inter side and following a rather disappointing spell with Real Madrid, Samuel rebuilt himself over a nine-year period in Milan.

Christian Chivu

The left-sided Romanian was highly coveted after breaking through with Ajax and solidified his reputation with Roma. Inter beat Barcelona and Real Madrid to his signing in 2007 - imagine that happening now?

Marco Materazzi

Most people remember Materazzi as the man who took a headbutt from Zinedine Zidane in his final ever game, but the hard man defender had a decorated career. He won the World Cup in 2006, won Serie A Defender of the Year in 2007 and made 20 appearances during their vital campaign.

Davide Santon

Via a four game spell with Newcastle United, Santon finds himself back at Inter Milan and he was an up and coming, adventurous full back during the treble winning season.

Dejan Stankovic

The former Lazio man collected 103 caps representing all of Yugoslavia, Serbia and Montenegro and Serbia during his career and is often remembered for his outrageous volley in the Champions League quarter-finals against Schalke.

Thiago Motta

The Brazilian-born Italian international has had a decorated career having played for Barcelona, Atletico, Inter and now, PSG. Motta was a vital enforcer in the midfield during their terrific run.

Esteban Cambiasso

The former Real Madrid playmaker really found his groove at the San Siro after featuring on the periphery at the Bernabeu. He spent 10 years with Inter and a key role in the treble winning season.

Wesley Sneijder

The majestic Dutch playmaker is another player who didn't quite fit in at Real Madrid, but he really made his name at Inter. He supplied an assist for Milito in the Champions League final and surprisingly departed for Galatasaray in 2013.

Sulley Muntari

Not many players will have made the move from Portsmouth to Inter Milan, but the Ghanaian international did. The physical midfielder was a key contributor during the 2009-10 season and mvoed to AC Milan after four years of service.

Ricardo Quaresma

Mourinho has worked with the tricky winger on several occasions, but his compatriot only featured sparingly and mainly off the bench during this season.

Goran Pandev

The Macedonian forward failed to make an appearance in his first three-year spell with Inter, but his second three-year stint was far more fruitful. The tricky goalscorer was a fine option off the bench and now aged 33 turns out for Genoa.

Mario Balotelli

Why always me? The enigmatic striker was just a young pup, but he still contributed 11 goals in 40 games as a backup option. He would move to Manchester City the following summer and now finds himself playing for Nice.

Diego Milito

In his first season with the club after moving from Genoa, the Argentinian scored 30 goals in 52 games, including a brace in the 2-0 Champions League final victory over Bayern Munich. Absolutely lethal.

Samuel Eto'o

One of the all-time great strikers. Mourinho filled his squad with experience and pairing the Cameroonian alongside Milito was dynamite. Be contributed 16 goals during the famous campaign before grabbing 37 the next campaign. He came third in the 2005 FIFA World Player of the Year award.

News Now - Sport News