AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini has won four European titles during his remarkable career. (Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty Images)

And then there were two.

After months of competition, AC Milan and Liverpool are the last two standing and will clash in this year's Champions League final in Athens, with bragging rights as the top team in European soccer on the line.

Wednesday's game is a rematch of the 2005 Champions League final when Liverpool erased a three-goal deficit in the second half to win in a penalty shootout and stun the Rossoneri.

Between them, these two clubs have won this competition 11 times - six for the Italians and five for the English.

Both teams followed a difficult path to this year's final. Milan beat Scottish league champions Celtic, German powerhouse Bayern Munich and Manchester United, the recently crowned Premiership champions, to book their spot in the final, while Liverpool turned back the challenges of Barcelona, PSV Eindhoven and Chelsea.

So who has the edge?

CBC Sports Online soccer expert John F. Molinaro and James Sharman, a soccer commentator for Canadian cable sports network The Score, break down how these two teams match up:

GOALKEEPING

John F. Molinaro: I can't imagine what it must be like to be an AC Milan fan, because my heart would be pounding every time Dida touched the ball. The Brazilian is erratic, to say the least - he's just as capable of making brilliant saves as he is committing a howler. He looked far from sharp in the first leg of the semifinals against Manchester United, and he was barely tested in the second leg. I've never really been impressed by Jose Reina, either. The Liverpool goalkeeper, who has been bothered by a shoulder injury recently, is often caught out of position and I don't think he has a great command of his penalty area. Still, Reina is more reliable than Dida, so the goalkeeping edge goes to Liverpool.

James Sharman: AC Milan's Dida still wakes up in a cold sweat every time his dreams turn nasty and he is taken back to THAT night in Istanbul. The Brazilian has been brilliant this season, and with the exception of one weak match vs. Manchester United, he has been a large reason why Milan is where it is, both in the Champions League and the Serie A. At the other end of the pitch is Jose Reina. He will need to live up to the standards of Jerzy Dudek, the hero of the 2005 final. Frankly speaking, Reina is vastly superior to Dudek, but he is often made to look good because of the defence in front of him. Reina is consistent while Dida can be erratic, but I have to give the AC Milan man the edge through shear athleticism.

DEFENCE

Molinaro: When you think of world class defence, AC Milan comes to mind. Paolo Maldini is a veteran who has seen it all and won it all, including four European titles. There's still some doubt whether he'll play Wednesday, but if he does, he'll marshal one of the best back lines in the game. Alessandro Nesta is one of the elite centre backs in the game, while Massimo Oddo and Cafu offer speed down the flanks. Milan's back four is solid, but they are old, and a team that is fast up front could break down the Rossoneri at the back. I think Liverpool's defence is underrated. I'm a big fan of Dane Daniel Agger, and Jamie Carragher doesn't get enough credit for his stalwart defensive play. Milan has more depth and more experience at the back, so you have to give the edge to the Italians.

Sharman: Whether in Serie A or Champions League, Milan has legendary defence and it has been as solid as ever this season. However, this is not a youthful back line, and pace can expose it. On the other side of the field Liverpool has had arguably Europe's top defence over the past couple of years. They may not have the big names that Milan have, but they are effective. Jamie Carragher may not exhibit the silkiness of Paolo Maldini, but his character and passion was a large reason why the Reds won in 2005. Tough to say who has the edge here, but there is something to be said about a team when Alessandro Nesta is not being talked about as much as his partner at the back. Milan has a slight edge.

MIDFIELD

If Liverpool hopes to beat AC Milan, midfielder Steven Gerrard will have to be at his best. (Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Molinaro: In Kaka, AC Milan have one of the most explosive and creative players in the game. The Brazilian is the top scorer in the Champions League this season with 10 goals and has dominated recent games with his speed, dribbling skills and visionary passing. Clarence Seedorf is playing his best soccer in years, Andrea Pirlo is an exquisite playmaker, Massimo Ambrosini has been solid this season and Gennaro Gattuso plays with the heart and determination of a pit bull. Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano drive the Liverpool midfield, while Xabi Alonso, Mark Gonzalez and Jermaine Pennant offer the Reds some attacking options. While both starting midfields are dynamite, I have to give the edge to Milan because of their greater depth.

Sharman: Midfield is where this match is going to be won or lost. From a creative standpoint, the Italians have this in the bag. Simply, in Kaka, they have one of the rare 'special ones.' Liverpool does not have a similar player. However, Milan does not have a Steven Gerrard; he is one of those other 'special ones' that can carry a team on his shoulders. Let's say we are a wash at this point, then. Gattuso and Mascherano? Both nasty, but key, both quite similar. Xabi Alonso or Clarence Seedorf? Too close to call. Then you have Ambrosini and Pirlo for Milan and Pennant and, well, Kewell for Liverpool? Alright, give Milan the edge through depth, but the starting midfields are both superb.

ATTACK

Molinaro: I think Dirk Kuyt has underperformed this year at Liverpool, but he'll likely start up front alongside Peter Crouch, who's bagged six goals in this tournament for the Reds. Craig Bellamy and Robbie Fowler are decent, but not spectacular, options coming off the bench. If only Ronaldo could play for Milan - he can't because he's cup tied, having previously played for Real Madrid in the group stage. Alberto Gilardino has disappointed this season, and coach Ancelotti will be forced to start veteran Fillipo Inzaghi in Athens. Pippo can still bang in the goals, but he won't last the 90 minutes. On paper, I would say Liverpool has the advantage up front, but when you consider that Kaka has a license to push forward and that he's the best attacking player on either side, the edge has to go to Milan.

Sharman: Neither team has the super stud striker. Dirk Kuyt is the preferred choice for Liverpool, while it looks as if Milan will start with the veteran Pippo Inzaghi. Neither are prolific, but Kuyt has been more impressive this season and is likely to play a full 90 minutes, while Super Pippo will likely make way for Gilardino at some point. Peter Crouch and Craig Bellamy will compete to partner Kuyt, and they offer contrasting styles which gives Rafa Benitez the edge with his options. Neither attacks stand out, but I will give Liverpool the edge due to that last point. This of course is with all due respect to Kaka who is essentially a free roaming forward and the most dangerous attacking option on either team.

INTANGIBLES

Molinaro: You have to think Milan wants it more, only because they felt they threw away the title two years ago in Istanbul. The memory of that collapse will spur them on and give them plenty of motivation to go at the Reds from the opening kickoff.

Sharman: This match is all about intangibles. Will Milan use 2005 as motivation, or is it unhealthy pressure? Is Liverpool truly a world beater in Europe, despite underachieving in the Premier League? Is Rafa king of Europe? There is really little to choose between the two managers, as Ancelotti is one of the most respected in history. The intangibles will only expose themselves as the game progresses, but they will play a role.

PREDICTIONS

Molinaro: It's hard to see AC Milan not winning this game. I think they have the edge in almost every area, they have more depth, and they have the best player in the competition in Kaka. If the Brazilian can maintain his recent streak of form and run rampant against the Reds, there'll be no containing the Rossoneri. What's more, I think Milan, buoyed by Gattuso, will shut down Gerrard and dictate the pace of the game. If they can do that and take the lead, there's no way they'll let a repeat of the Istanbul debacle happen again.

Sharman: Quite honestly, nothing would surprise me. Kaka could dominate and score a hat-trick, or Steven Gerrard could refuse to let his team lose. The match will tell all, but from a football perspective, looking at the two teams player by player, it is tough not to pick AC Milan. The same was said two years ago mind you, and this is a better Liverpool. I just don't think Milan will let that happen again.