Rui Costa ready for big day

By Paolo Menicucci

AC Milan playmaker Rui Costa hopes that today's UEFA Champions League final at Old Trafford will be "the highlight of my time as a football player".

'Most important day'
The Portuguese international told uefa.com that victory against Juventus FC would not only put the seal on Milan's impressive European campaign but also cap his own career in the game. "I just hope that I will be able to lift the trophy so it will become the most important day in my career," he said.

Storming start
Now in his second term at the San Siro, Rui Costa was a key figure in Milan's storming start to the Champions League season. Playing alongside Andrea Pirlo and Clarence Seedorf in midfield, he helped Carlo Ancelotti's team string together four straight wins in the first group stage - a 4-0 victory at RC Deportivo La Coruña being the highlight.

Cautious approach
A similar sequence followed in the second group stage, prompted by a rousing home defeat of holders Real Madrid CF, although it was a more cautious Milan which ousted AFC Ajax and then Internazionale FC in the quarter and semi-finals.

Attack, attack, attack
However, the 31-year-old former AC Fiorentina player insisted the Rossoneri would continue to seek performances of style as well as substance. The attacking brand of football introduced by coach Ancelotti last autumn is, he said, here to stay.

Milan project
"I'm sure we will continue with our project in the future regardless of the result against Juventus. The fact we have reached the final shows that the project was right.

Back in form
"We chose to play this way at the beginning of the season. Unfortunately we did not manage to maintain the same level of play throughout the campaign, but now we are close to the form we showed in the first half of the season. I hope that in the final we can play as well as when we beat Madrid in the second group stage."

Tough opponents
That will be no easy task against a Juventus side that disposed of the Spaniards in the last four. But while the Serie A champions will be tough opponents, Milan have a secret weapon in Ancelotti, who spent two seasons in charge of the Bianconeri.

Ancelotti advantage
"Ancelotti knows them better than anyone having worked there," Rui Costa said. "I hope this can be an advantage for us. However, it is difficult to find a weakness with Juve - they are so strong mentally. I just hope that Wednesday will not be their day."

'A bit strange'
Whatever, it will be a day to remember for the fans, although the all-Italian flavour of the tie could make it "a bit strange" for the players. "I am expecting a wonderful atmosphere at Old Trafford," Rui Costa said. "I hope both teams will play entertaining football and that the supporters will enjoy a great party in the stands."

Italian derby
"To have two teams in the final is great for Italian football," he continued. "But for us it is a bit strange. It is almost like a league match because we know each other so well but we know that it is extremely different."

Return trip
Rui Costa was on the losing side on his previous appearance at Manchester United FC - a 3-1 defeat with Fiorentina in the 1999/00 Champions League. However, he is inspired by the prospect of a return trip.

Dream final
Without a goal this season, he "will dream of scoring in a match as big as this". "I have had many assists but I know that a player in my position should also score goals," Rui Costa said. "However, I still have one match to play and who knows what can happen?"