AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti believes the passion of Gennaro Gattuso will be crucial to his side's chances of gaining revenge on Liverpool in next Wednesday's Champions League final.
Having thrown away a three-goal lead to lose to the Reds on penalties in Istanbul two years ago, Ancelotti believes his side have learned their lesson and could not be better prepared for the biggest date on the European club football calendar.
And he has highlighted the fiery Gattuso as his main man, as he said: 'Gattuso is always the way he is. He is like it in games, in training and probably also at home in his private life.
'Kaka is a natural talent, but Gattuso diffuses so much of his passion that he affects everybody. The fans love him because they can relate to him.'
Gattuso will be more fiery than ever as he seeks revenge for the crushing defeat in 2005.
'It is a difficult memory to delete, and I hope it gives us the strength and energy to give us that little bit extra to beat them,' he said.
'We have had that game in our mind for the last two years and we keep thinking back to it, and that can be a stimulus.
'There have been lots of jokes at our expense and lies, like that we had the champagne out at half-time. They hurt me and anger me because too much has been said about it.'
For former Rangers midfielder Gattuso, there can be nothing sweeter than the prospect of winning the Champions League just under 12 months after winning the World Cup for Italy.
'When I was growing up, we always felt that the World Cup was the most important trophy, followed by the Champions League, UEFA Cup, Cup Winners' Cup and then the national championship,' he said.
'If you offered me three Scudetti and one Champions League, I would take the latter. The prestige of the Champions League is enormous.'
Ancelotti believes his side are in better shape to overcome the Merseysiders in Athens than they were the last time they met.
'The big difference for Milan is that we were a little tired going into the final last time, whereas now we are in great shape,' he said.
'In 2005, it was an ordinary achievement to reach the final, but this year it has been extraordinary. To reach the final, despite the difficulties we had at the start of the season, fills me with pride.'
