Eight days to go ... Maldini and Gento's record

Francisco 'Paco' Gento and Paolo Maldini were one-club men who enjoyed huge success with Real Madrid CF and AC Milan respectively. Perhaps their finest achievement was to appear in a joint-record eight European Cup finals.

Francisco Gento
Gento was a mainstay of the Real Madrid CF dynasty that won the first five editions of the European Champion Clubs' Cup. He scored in the 1957 and 1958 finals and went on to captain Madrid in 1964 and 1966, helping them regain the trophy in the latter campaign following two runners-up efforts.

1955/56: Madrid claim first crown
1956/57: Gento doubles up for Madrid
1957/58: Di Stéfano shines for Madrid
1958/59: Di Stéfano keeps Madrid rolling
1959/60: Dazzling Madrid crush Frankfurt
1961/62: Eusébio strikes gold for Benfica
1963/64: Mazzola magic fires up Inter
1965/66: Madrid make it six

Paolo Maldini
Maldini was AC Milan's defensive bedrock for over two decades, retiring aged 41 in 2009. He had debuted as a 16-year-old in 1985 but would not lift the UEFA Champions League trophy until four years later. The 126-cap Italian international wore the armband in his last three finals, scoring the fastest-ever goal in a decider in 2005.

1988/89: Stylish Milan return to the top
1989/90: Rijkaard seals Milan triumph
1992/93: French first for Marseille
1993/94: Massaro leads Milan rout
1994/95: Kluivert strikes late for Ajax
2002/03: Shevchenko spot on for Milan
2004/05: Liverpool belief defies Milan
2006/07: Milan avenge Liverpool defeat