Latin pair provide the flair

By Simon Hart

There is no doubting whom Héctor Cúper will identify as the main threat to his Internazionale FC side in the Mestalla stadium on Tuesday night. When Inter clung on to their 1-0 lead in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Valencia CF, they did so despite the determined efforts of the Spanish side's Argentinian playmaker, Pablo Aimar.

Constant menace
Cúper was coach when Aimar arrived at Valencia in 2001 so he would not have been surprised by the influence the 23-year-old exerted on proceedings at the San Siro. Although Inter won the game, Aimar was a constant menace, prompting team-mates and fashioning chances with his superb ball skills and awareness. "Aimar is very fast and difficult to control," was Inter goalkeeper Francesco Toldo's assessment and understandably so. From one Aimar pass, John Carew drilled a presentable opportunity wide. A run into the opposition area concluded with a shot that Toldo saved. In the closing minutes he crossed and Mista headed over.

Deeper role for Aimar
In Tuesday's must-win match for Valencia, it is likely Aimar will play in a deeper role than in Milan, where he played off Carew. Instead - as happened for the decisive home victory over Arsenal FC in the second group stage - Aimar could operate behind a front two of Carew and either Juan Sánchez or Mista. Nicknamed 'El Payaso' or 'The Clown', this is his preferred position and it is here where he can create the most havoc.

Goals return
The one question mark against Aimar's contribution on European nights could be his lack of goals. Although he has struck six times in 23 Primera División appearances this term, he has not scored in the Champions League since September and the 6-2 defeat of FC Basel. That said, his two goals in Europe equal the tally of Inter forward Alvaro Recoba, arguably the Italians' most naturally gifted player.

Place under threat
Recoba last registered on Champions League duty in the 4-1 success at Newcastle United FC in November, with a trademark sweet left-foot shot. Overall this season the Uruguayan has scored eleven times in 34 games, including nine in Serie A, yet his place in Tuesday's starting lineup is under threat from Hernán Crespo, now almost fully recovered from injury. Recoba made way for Crespo in the 80th minute of Saturday's match at Brescia Calcio and the Argentinian international scored Inter's last-gasp winner.

Excellent delivery
Unlike Recoba, Crespo is an out-and-out striker, which is perhaps the reason why the 27-year-old they call 'Il Chino' has never held down a long-term starting place during a six-year spell at the San Siro, which included a spectacular loan stint at AC Venezia in the 1998/99 season. A fine dribbler with excellent delivery from dead-ball situations, Recoba has operated both on the left flank and up front for Inter but never as a permanent fixture in the team.

Determining factor
Some accuse him of inconsistency, yet on his day, he can expose any defence - not unlike Aimar, another Latin American who brings flair to a side with a penchant for pragmatism. "I think he's a very good player," Aimar said of Recoba. "He's having a good season this year, and scoring important goals. I know [Gabriel] Batistuta and Crespo better, of course, and everybody knows how dangerous Vieri can be, but Recoba is a player we must watch very closely. I hope he doesn't have a good day against us."