Steve Finnan is looking to make up for lost time after playing in only the worst bits of the 2005 European Cup final.
He was there as AC Milan cut Liverpool to shreds in the first-half in Istanbul two seasons ago, opening up a 3-0 lead. But, a groin injury meant the Irishman was left in the dressing room at half-time, giving boss Rafael Benitez a chance to shuffle his pack and bring on Dietmar Hamann to shackle the surges of Kaka.
By the time Finnan was showered and changed into a tracksuit, the second half had started and Liverpool were on their way to a miracle.
From then on it was a night of mixed emotions for 31-year-old Finnan, who got his winners' medal but felt cheated of the greatest moment in his career.
Finnan explained: 'It was disappointing to get injured because I missed all the goals. I was not on the pitch. But I eventually managed to get out to watch what was happening after I had been changed and saw everything from then.
'When you get to a game like that, the only thing that matters is winning. But personally after what happened to me, you can't help wonder at the time if you will ever go back to experience it properly.
'There was not too much being said in the dressing room at half-time, emotions were a bit flat but when I came out to pitch side it was completely different. I knew the goals were going in - with all the noise it was impossible not to know what was going on.
'I wanted to get out after the first one but because everything happened so quickly, I did not get a chance. The noise was just incredible. I obviously remember Jerzy Dudek making those couple of saves, then the penalties. But I felt a little lost in the end despite the tremendous feeling of excitement that we had won.'
This time around Finnan hopes to experience it all first-hand, and with the same outcome.
But the modest Irishman claims he is not even sure he will be playing, with Alvaro Arbeloa challenging for a starting spot.
Finnan said: 'I do not even know if I am going to be playing - a few of the lads know they are going to be left out and it is up to the manager. The main thing is for us to win again. If I could play a part again this time that would be nice.'
Finnan has been away with his colleagues to La Manga last week preparing for the final, with tough training supplementing technical discussions about Milan's weaknesses.
He continued: 'We have talked about their performance against Manchester United in the semi-final and they did play well - but hopefully we won't give them as much time as they did.
'I think that game was a combination of Milan playing very well and United not doing what they can. Hopefully we can make it difficult for them. We know they are a quality team and what they are capable of. But if we focus on what we can do and prepare right, we should be okay.'
Finnan said: 'Everyone knows a lot about Kaka. He can play in midfield or attack, so we will have to be wary of him. He is certainly a player that the defence will have to look out for. It is not just about him, though. They have got lots of quality players, capable of taking their chances.
Finnan is confident though, adding: 'We have improved as a squad and have done very well defensively over the last couple of years - overall, I would say the squad is stronger than it was two years ago.
'But it would be wrong to say that they (Milan) are weaker - they still have a lot of players who were in that last final. They have got experience for these sort of games. But I just think we are a stronger squad and maybe we will have that bit of an edge.
'People will have us as underdogs given the way they beat Manchester United. But I do not suppose that is a bad thing. It is not too often that we are underdogs but in a game like this it does not really matter too much.
'I do not think they will look at it that way and they are going to be up for this game. We have added quality to the squad and while it is true they are not getting any younger, they have got great experience. Sometimes that counts for a lot.'
