Nedved the key

So important is the Czech midfielder to the Italian champions that the yellow card he picked up at the end of the semi-final win over Real Madrid, which barred him from the final, was more of a talking point than the fine display from Juve that defeated Real.

Nedved was sorely missed at Old Trafford as Marcello Lippi's side were unable to find the pace and movement on the break that had helped them to the European final as well as their second successive Italian title.

On Saturday at the San Siro Juve have a chance to get revenge for that final defeat on penalties by their old rivals and this time Nedved will be on the field.

His superb goal last week against Brescia was an early warning to European champions Milan of what they can expect from the former Lazio midfielder and the message has not gone unheeded.

"As opposed to Manchester, this time there will be Nedved," said Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti. "I am sure it will be a different story."

Of course Milan, joint leaders in Serie A with Juve, are confident that they can counter the threat posed by the former Lazio player.

But Nedved's surging runs, incisive passes and above all his devastating finishing make him the most respected midfielder in Italian soccer. If you believe the Italian media, he is a favourite for the award of European Player of the Year.

Nedved though wants to hear nothing of that personal prize, which in recent years has become something of an obsession for Italians.

"I don't want to hear anymore about the 'Golden ball' award," he said during the build-up to Saturday's game.

"Honestly all that interests me is winning games with the team. That is what makes me happy," added the Czech.

What Ancelotti, and others, believe Nedved's presence on the field will guarantee is a game played at a higher tempo with more chances than May's stalemate in Manchester.

Nedved agrees that the 80,000 fans are in for a treat at the San Siro: "I am looking forward to this one, it is a pleasure to play in games like this, even to watch them if you are left out.

"It is a match between two closely balanced sides that are top of the table and are going well in the Champions League.

"We both go into this game in form and I think it will be decided on those little incidents in the game. But for sure it is going to be an entertaining match."

The fear, though, is that the two sides could still cancel each other out.

It is supported by the dull display the pair produced in the pre-season Italian Super Cup in New York as well as last season's final but Nedved thinks this time there will be nothing held back.

"In America we were at the start of the season and so short of preparation whilst in Manchester we arrived there tired at the end of a long campaign. This time though both teams are in great shape, it will be a different game," he said.