Dida
Cafu Nesta Maldini Kaladze
Gattuso Pirlo Seedorf
Kaka
Shevchenko Crespo/Tomasson
THE FORMATION
Coach Carlo Ancelotti favours 4-3-1-2, with Andrea Pirlo the midfield pivot and playmaker Kaka the attacking brains behind the front men.
SELECTION DILEMMAS
Jaap Stam could lose out to Alessandro Nesta and Paolo Maldini in central defence, allowing Kakha Kaladze to adopt a more attacking left-back role than Maldini would otherwise take.
The major decision up front is between Hernan Crespo, out of form of late, and Jon Dahl Tomasson as a partner for Andrii Shevchenko. Alternatively, Ancelotti could bring in Rui Costa alongside Kaka and play Shevchenko as a lone striker. If Ancelotti wants a more defensive formation, he could bring in Massimo Ambrosini as a fourth midfielder.
THE KEY MEN
Cafu & Kakha Kaladze: despite Milan’s defensive reputation, the full-backs love to rampage down the flanks.
Andrea Pirlo: the midfield shield who has a role in all of Milan’s passing moves.
Kaka: brilliant young Brazilian whose pace and invention in the final third of the pitch make him very dangerous.
Andrii Shevchenko: a highly effective finisher – but lucky to be playing in the Final after butting Inter’s Materazzi in the quarter-finals.
Jon Dahl Tomasson: an intelligent finder and user of space in and around the penalty box.
Dida: one of Milan’s heroes from the 2003 Final penalty shoot-out win against Juventus. Now one of the world’s top five keepers.
Serginho: a likely sub, but his pace on the left flank can cause problems late in a game.
THE SUBSTITUTES
Christian Abbiati (keeper), Jaap Stam, Rui Costa, Massimo Ambrosini, Hernan Crespo, Serginho.
