Brazilian predicts final fireworks

Real Madrid CF's Roberto Carlos may be missing out on a final for once, but the Brazilian, having played against both AC Milan and Juventus FC this season, gives his exclusive big match verdict to uefa.com

I start this column on a sad note because I won’t myself be playing in the Champions League final. The memories of these moments stay with you forever and, in my case, I have to count myself lucky that I have many good memories having already reached three European finals with Real Madrid and winning them all.

Stronger teams
But on Wednesday I will be a spectator rather then a competitor at Old Trafford, and the reason why? Well, quite simply because there are two teams in Europe that have shown themselves to be stronger than my team and those two teams are Juventus and Milan. This contest will be a very evenly matched and exciting game because here we have two Italian teams who know each other perfectly.

Milan menace
What can I say about Milan? With players like Clarence Seedorf, Fernando Redondo, Andriy Shevchenko, Filippo Inzaghi, Rivaldo, Alessandro Nesta, Rui Costa..the list goes on, it is a luxury for every trainer to have that kind of talent at his disposal. They are a great team and have made it to Manchester purely on merit.

Midfield maestroes
If I were in Juventus’s shoes I would take great care in the middle of the field. If Seedorf or Rui Costa are given time on the ball then the opposition defence has to be worried because they will then create for Milan’s lethal strikers; and if these guys get a chance they will punish Juve. Milan don’t concede many so if they start scoring goals it will be hard for Juve to come back.

Less pressure
Let us not underestimate Juventus’s firepower, though. They eliminated three of the four Spanish teams in the Champions League – Deportivo, Barcelona and, of course, ourselves, Real Madrid. This is a very strong team with plenty of star players. Juve have already won the national title and this will work in their favour to a large extent because they will be coming to this game with less pressure.

Balanced team
Let’s look at Juve’s players. Gianluigi Buffon, Paulo Montero, Edgar Davids, Alessandro Del Piero, David Trezeguet – they’re all massive names. This team has everything – a great goalkeeper, a strong defence, a creative and offensive midfield with players who can make goals but also track back to help the defence and great strikers.

First goal crucial
I think that whoever opens the scoring will win the game but it would be a big mistake for either team if they went ahead early on to then just sit back then and defend their lead, which is often the Italian way. History has shown that anything can happen in the European [Champion Clubs'] Cup and no team can guarantee against last-minute heroics. I think that the best team in Europe has to show it is not afraid of winning or losing and the winner of this competition will be the team that is the most consistent and plays the best football.

Quality final
Whoever lifts the trophy in Manchester one thing is for sure, Wednesday’s match will be a great spectacle. With such quality on display at Old Trafford I think this will be a vintage final and I will join the millions of fans of football all around the world to witness this event. Which just leaves for me to say, good luck to both Juventus and Milan and may the best team win.