Córdoba's San Siro dream

By Paolo Menicucci

Iván Córdoba has been a steady presence at FC Internazionale Milano since joining from CA San Lorenzo in January 2000. In recent weeks, however, the Colombian international has turned into one of Roberto Mancini's side's most dangerous attacking options.

Milan derby
With three goals in his last seven Serie A appearances, Córdoba is now dreaming of scoring the winner in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals against AC Milan. "It would be fantastic to score against Milan and eliminate them from the Champions League," the Medellin-born player told uefa.com. "It would be something to keep in my best memories forever."

Colombian moment
After scoring the only goal of the 2001 Copa América final as Colombia defeated Mexico in front of 40,000 fans in Bogota, the 28-year-old Córdoba has already experienced the joy of deciding an extremely important game. "Scoring the winner against Milan would be a very similar joy to the one I had in 2001," he said.

Small target man
Despite being only 1.73m tall, Córdoba mostly scores headed goals. "Sinisa Mihajlovic is extremely good at taking set-pieces," he explained. "With the right timing, all you have to do is put your head in the way and the ball is in the net."

Calm preparation
The Colombian defender is sure that Inter have everything that is necessary to beat their city rivals to a spot in the last four. "We are very confident and we are sure we can play very well," he said. "We have had enough time to prepare for this game and I think we have done it in the best possible way."

Lucky strike
These teams have already met twice this season in Serie A - the first derby ended goalless and the second was decided by a lucky deflection off Milan attacking midfield player Kaká. "I hope it will be a different kind of game this time," Córdoba said. "However, if the game is to be decided with a lucky strike again, we hope it will be our turn to smile after the final whistle this time."

Right attitude
Besides luck, Córdoba is sure that his side can improve their mental approach to the game. "We have to show them that we want to win from the very first minute of the first leg," he said. "It's a 180-minute game but we have to start with the right attitude."

'Great chance'
The Colombian has not forgotten his side's defeat in the 2002/03 Champions League semi-finals when Milan overcame Inter - ironicall considering their shared ground - on away goals. "We haven't achieved what we wanted in recent derbies," he said. "However, it's mostly an extra motivation for us because we have the chance to face Milan in the Champions League again two years after that defeat and we have to use this opportunity in the best way. I think we have a great chance to qualify this time."

Adriano absent
Córdoba has identified Kaká as Milan's danger man, but perhaps the key to the game will be how Inter cope with the absence of their own Brazilian wonderboy, Adriano, who is nursing an injured knee. Córdoba said: "We cannot deny that Adriano is a fantastic player, but we hope we can do well without him and maybe he could return in time for the return leg and help us to qualify." However, if Córdoba's goalscoring run continues, they might not need him after all.