At first glance, tonight's all-Italian UEFA Cup final at the Parc des Princes in Paris between Inter Milan and Lazio might prompt a sense of disappointment. After all, European competition finals are meant to be about testing the relative merits of clubs from different leagues, rather than two from the same league.
Furthermore, there is always the possibility that two sides which know one another as well as Inter and Lazio will contrive to shut down each other so completely that we are left with a tense 0-0 stalemate to be resolved either by a `golden goal' in extra time or by a penalty shoot-out.
Even if such a possibility cannot lightly be dismissed, there is good reason for suggesting that this could be one all-Italian clash that might provide some spectacular and technically accomplished fireworks.
Nor is that observation exclusively based on the obvious consideration that both sides are packed with potential match-winners like Ronaldo, Argentinian midfielder Diego Simeone, Chilean striker Ivan Zamorano (all Inter) as well as playmaker Roberto Mancini, Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved and Yugoslav midfielder Vladimir Jugovic (all Lazio). The only significant absentee tomorrow night is Lazio's injured striker Alen Boksic.
What may make tonight's final surprisingly entertaining will be the level of motivation both sides bring to the final. Remember, both have come this far at the end of a tense, tight and bitterly controversial Italian league campaign in which they provided the only real opposition to champions elect, Juventus.
Both sides go into the final feeling they have something to prove. In Inter's case, the feeling of victimisation in the wake of their defeat at Juventus recently in which Ronaldo was denied a crucial penalty and also the fear that they may end the season without a trophy.
Lazio, too, have their own special motivation. Unlike Inter, they cannot boast a splendid European tradition. Whereas their opponents have won both the Champions Cup (1964, '65) and the UEFA Cup ('91, '94) twice in 34 seasons of European competition, Lazio have never before reached a European final.
Indeed, Lazio are this season competing in Europe for only the ninth time with a previous best showing of a UEFA Cup quarter-final elimination by Borussia Dortmund.
Lazio go into the game with a potential physical and psychological advantage. Firstly, their recent league campaign, as illustrated by a 1-0 defeat by already relegated Lecce on Saturday, has been something of a doddle, far removed from the enervating sturm und drang experience which Inter have undergone. Since being beaten 1-0 in an all-decisive clash with Juventus at the Olympic Stadium one month ago Lazio have effectively abandoned the title race, losing three of their last four games as they concentrated on both the UEFA and Italian Cups.
Which brings us to Lazio's psychological advantage, namely their Italian Cup win against AC Milan last Wednesday. Unlike Inter, they already have something substantial to show for a remarkable season, highlighted by their 24-match, four-month unbeaten run between December and April.
That Italian Cup win last week saw the club pick up their first trophy in 24 years and their first Italian Cup for 40 years. Having finally tasted success, Lazio will be hungry for more. Lazio have had the better preparation, Inter have Ronaldo. All to play for and let's hope the referee passes unnoticed.
Inter Milan (probable): Pagliuca; Bergomi, Sartor, Colonnesse, West; Moriero, Winter, Simeone, Zanetti; Djorkaeff, Ronaldo.
Lazio (probable): Marchegiani; Grandoni, Nesta, Negro, Favalli; Fuser, [ NO]Giorgio Venturin, Jugovic, Nedved; Mancini, Casiraghi.
