Class acts meet in Milan

Medals galore
Milan's 34-year-old captain Paolo Maldini is that rarity in the modern game, a one-club player. He made his debut for the first team in the 1983/84 season and has a cabinet brimming with medals and international caps to show for his loyalty. Similarly, Roberto Carlos, 29, has enjoyed unparalleled success since settling in Madrid five years ago, winning domestic and Champions League titles with daunting regularity while adding a FIFA World Cup winner's medal to that collection earlier this summer.

Sweet revenge
Maldini, whose father Cesare was in the losing Rossoneri lineup when these sides met in the European Champion Clubs' Cup semi-final in 1956, got some measure of revenge when Milan finally beat the Spanish team after a number of defeats over the years in the 1989 semi-final. Indeed, to put into context just how many generations have marvelled at the stalwart's languid skills, Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti was one of the scorers in that victory, as Milan won 6-1 on aggregate.

Back on top
Yet the 1994 FIFA World Player of the Year had been all but written off after Italy's early exit from the World Cup in Korea/Japan. Still he has answered his critics with some startling displays for highflying Milan this season, probably the best of which came in Sunday's 1-0 derby win over Internazionale FC, a performance which led his veteran defensive partner Alessandro Costacurta to hail him as "the best player in the world at present".

Note of caution
But, despite some impressive showings in a first group stage which saw Milan qualify comfortably ahead of FC Bayern München, RC Deportivo La Coruña and RC Lens, Maldini sounded a note of caution before the match against Madrid. "They are a difficult side. We must be worried about the quality and technical skills of their players and of the whole team. Don't forget they are the holders."

Fierce shot
The diminutive Roberto Carlos may be less graceful than Maldini, but he possesses his own unique qualities. The Brazilian is supremely fit and hard working, and packs just about the fiercest left-foot shot around.

Magic move
Born in Garça, a small town in São Paulo, he also got off to a quick start, playing his first match for local club União de Leiria at just 16. After two seasons at SE Palmeiras, he moved to Milan to play for Inter and scored five goals in 30 games in his first season there. One year later, he was signed to Madrid by Milan legend Fabio Capello, a switch which has brought with it three Champions League titles as well as two Spanish championships.

'Very offensive'
As for Milan, Roberto Carlos knows all about them and, in particular, a number of their star players. "Ancelotti's side is playing very offensive. I think Rivaldo, Serginho and Dida are very comfortable there."

Time to choose
Both players go into the game with a staggering reputation to uphold and over the 90 minutes the world will be able to judge just which of these stars is the finest left-back around at the moment.