Veteran AC Milan skipper Paolo Maldini is determined to get into top shape for next week's European Champions League Final against Liverpool - but is ready to pull out if he fails.
Maldini, 38, missed Milan's 3-0 semi-final second leg victory over Manchester United with a swollen knee - a nagging problem that cropped up again after Sunday's Serie A match against Catania.
"The knee ballooned again but it was only to be expected," Maldini said on Milan's website Tuesday.
The former Italy captain, who holds the Azzurri caps record, said he would be doing "specific work" on the knee right up to next Wednesday's game in Athens.
Even if the knee continues to trouble him, the swelling and pain can be treated with injections, he noted.
"But I'm certain of one thing - I'll only play if I'm 100%".
"If that isn't the case, I and the coach (Carlo Ancelotti) won't hesitate a second: someone who's in better shape than me will play".
Georgian defender Kaka Kaladze is again expected to deputise for the Italy great if he can't make it.
Maldini recalled that he has come out on the winning side in four European Cup/Champions League finals, and lost three.
"I don't want to make it 4-4," he said.
Maldini said Milan's 2005 penalty shoot-out loss to Liverpool after being 3-0 up at half-time "still burns".
But he said the memory of the match - in which he scored the first goal - might play in Milan's favour.
"Liverpool are going to be thinking: we'll never win a game like that again. We're playing a great side that put three goals past us in the first half.
"Quality-wise, we're more or less the same as back then, but we're heading into the final in better form, without a shadow of a doubt".
Clarence Seedorf, the Dutch midfielder who was many people's Man of the Match when Milan overcame a 3-2 deficit against Manchester United, also recalled the 2005 final on Tuesday.
"We dominated the match and if we played it another 20 times we would win every time".
