AC Milan is still weighing its attacking options ahead of Wednesday night's Champions League Final against Liverpool.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti is tight-lipped about whether he'll field Alberto Gilardino or Pippo Inzaghi from the start.
But the pundits think the under-rated 'Gila' should get the nod for his fighting spirit - with 'Superpippo' tipped to come on late and exhibit his famed goal-poaching touch against a tiring Liverpool.
Gilardino, 24, hasn't set the world on fire since his move from Parma two seasons ago but may have turned everything round with his match clincher in the 3-0 semi-final second leg rout of much-fancied Manchester United.
The athletic Italy striker received a morale-boosting vote of confidence from Chairman Silvio Berlusconi and many think he's what Milan need to give the Liverpool defence a hard time - hopefully opening up more striking opportunities for semi-final heroes Kaka and Seedorf.
And if that strategy doesn't pay dividends against the stubborn Liverpool defence, Ancelotti has Italy veteran Inzaghi - recovered from injury and raring to go - up his sleeve for one of his characteristic late strikes.
"Give him a minute and Pippo is straight into the action," says ex-Inter and Azzurri striker Sandro Altobelli, who scored the third goal in Italy's famous 1982 World Cup win against West Germany.
"He's so quick and canny he can exploit the short time available and turn a match around".
Three-time Serie A top scorer Beppe Signori, the ex-Lazio hero, agreed: "Put Gila on first to wear them down, then in with Inzaghi to finish them off".
Another former Italy striker, Aldo Serena of Inter fame, said:
"Gilardino should play from the start because it's going to be crowded out there at the beginning and you're going to need someone with physical presence, someone able to use his elbows.
"Then Pippo comes in against Liverpool's tired legs. With the avenues opening up, bang!, he's in for the winner".
Azzurri legend Roberto Boninsegna was of the same mind, saying: "Gilardino gets the nod for me. Leave the last half-hour to Pippo. He'll get you a goal, no questions about it".
AC Milan, Italy and Brazil great Jose' Altafini also put Gilardino ahead in the starting stakes - but for the space he can open up for the two on-fire players coming in behind him, Kaka and Seedorf.
"It's better to start off with Gila so he can make room for Kaka and Seedorf's blistering incursions," Altafini said.
KAKA IN WITH SHOT AT RECORD.
Kaka could beat Ruud Van Nistelroy's record of goals in a Champion League season if he bags a brace on Wednesday.
That's far from wishful thinking given his displays against Man Utd, where he put Reds Devils' star Cristiano Ronaldo in the shade by scoring three goals.
But Liverpool, England's other Reds, appear better equipped than the free-playing United to cope with Milan's attacking surges.
They have a young defence - unlike Milan - with the likes of all-action Ireland right-back Steve Finnan, 21 and, in the middle, solid Dane Daniel Egger, 22, who showed his dynamism in bursting forward to score a clinical match-winning goal in the semi-final against Chelsea.
With elder statesman Jamie Carragher marshalling the troops and making key tackles it's an impressive unit - protected by an equally tight midfield featuring hard-working Spaniards Javier Mascherano and Xavi Alonso.
Liverpool's all-round holding game - which will force Milan to come at them - boosts the slight psychological advantage they have because of their shocking, or exhilarating, come-from-behind win in the 2005 final in Istanbul.
In one of the most remarkable games of all time, a cruising Milan surrendered a 3-0 half-time lead and ended up losing on penalties, hypnotised by 'dancing Pole' Jerzy Dudek.
But Liverpool have already shown they're not going to rely on Milan's nightmares to give them the edge.
England's inspirational captain Steven Gerrard has been talking up his team's chances and even dared have a dig at Milan's midfield pitbull Gennaro Gattuso.
"He looks more like a kitten to me," Gerrard said as the mind games intensified this week.
If Inzaghi could prove Milan's ace, Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez has his own surprise card: reborn Australian winger Harry Kewel, fresh from an injury lay-off and determined to finally make his mark at the highest level.
Milan's centre backs - Italy great Paolo Maldini, 38, and Alessandro Nesta, 31 - will also have their work cut out in coping with the unique threat posed by steepling centre-forward Peter Crouch.
If his knees hold up, Maldini is set to equal Real Madrid legend Francisco Gento by playing in an eighth final.
"My love for soccer will never die," he said Tuesday.
Milan fans will be praying that Nesta, once described as a "real phenomenon" by Pele' and now back to his imperious best, will help steady the ship as the high balls come in.
Meanwhile at the other end, they hope, either Kaka, Seedorf or a wily veteran called Superpippo will do the job, laying the ghosts of Istanbul to rest.
