Photo via BBC Sport

The Andorran club making history with a Pochettino in the team

Maurizio Pochettino’s lifelong dream of playing in European football took a historic step forward as Inter Club d’Escaldes became the first Andorran club to qualify for a continental group stage. The 25-year-old, whose father Mauricio once managed Espanyol—where he reached the 2007 UEFA Cup final—scored the decisive penalty in a dramatic Conference League play-off win over Kosovo’s Drita.

After a 2-2 draw in the first leg, Inter dominated the return match without scoring but sealed victory on penalties, with Pochettino’s strike and a Drita miss leading to a 3-2 triumph at Andorra’s national stadium. The achievement marks a turning point for the tiny nation’s football, as Inter—founded in 1991—has risen from relegation in 2015 to five league titles in seven seasons under new ownership, ending FC Santa Coloma’s dominance.

Former Andorra legend Ildefons Lima, who holds the record for most caps (137) and goals (11) in the nation’s history, played a pivotal role in the club’s revival, both on the pitch and in its boardroom. Current manager Felip Ortiz, a former Barcelona youth player and coach, has steered Inter toward a possession-based style that has propelled them into Europe’s spotlight.

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