Real Madrid and AC Milan, the two most successful clubs in the history of the European Cup, will go head to head at the Santiago Bernabeu in this week's showcase match of the Champions League.
In the standout match of the competition so far, nine-time winner Madrid looks to maintain its perfect record in Group G on Tuesday and pull five points clear of Milan, which has lifted the trophy seven times and has a better recent record in Europe than its opponent.
Both teams boast some of the most entertaining players in the sport and Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas acknowledges the eyes of the world will be trained on one of football's glitziest matches.
"(It's) a classic, one of those games every player wants to play and every fan wants to see," the Spain captain said.
Madrid hasn't gone further than the last 16 in six seasons but looks in ideal shape to end that barren run under new coach Jose Mourinho, who led Inter Milan to Champions League success last year.
The Spanish giants have beaten Ajax and Auxerre in their opening two matches and are in fine form domestically, a 4-1 win at Malaga putting them provisionally top of the Spanish league before .
In Cristiano Ronaldo, Madrid has Spain's leading scorer with six goals and a player who can lead the club back to its previous heights in Europe. The Portugal forward scored twice against Malaga and set up both of Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain's goals in a scintillating performance that followed reports in the Spanish press that Ronaldo had been concerned about his early-season form.
"I never said I was anxious to score," Ronaldo said. "I have simply tried to work so that things go well for the team and I knew it was a matter of time before my goals came."
Milan is also in good form, a 3-1 win at home to Chievo courtesy of a brace from Alexandre Pato and a late strike by Robinho putting the team second in the Serie A table. Massimo Allegri's side has picked up four points in the Champions League from two matches.
Brazil center back Thiago Silva should be available despite sustaining a calf injury against Genoa. Full back Sergio Ramos should return from injury for Madrid.
The group's other match sees four-time tournament winner Ajax hosts Auxerre.
Elsewhere on matchday three, defending champion Inter Milan and Tottenham - the top two in Group A on four points - meet at San Siro on Wednesday.
Inter beat Cagliari away on Sunday to lift it into Serie A's top three but coach Rafael Benitez is expecting a tough evening against Tottenham, which he knows well after his time in England with Liverpool.
"We are expecting a difficult match against Spurs, a team with intelligent players who press you high up the pitch and are good on the counterattack," Benitez said. "We have to do everything well if we want to win."
Benitez has recently welcomed back captain Javier Zanetti and defender Walter Samuel and they could be joined in the side by another Argentine, Esteban Cambiasso, who could return from a leg strain.
Tottenham will be relying on Netherlands playmaker Rafael van der Vaart, who has been in stunning form for the London club since joining at the end of the transfer window.
FC Twente and Werder Bremen both have one point and meet in the group's other match.
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson will have to decide whether to recall Wayne Rooney for Wednesday's home match against Bursapsor in Group C.
The England striker is widely reported to have fallen out with Ferguson and started on the bench for United's 2-2 draw against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, sparking speculation he could leave in January.
United gave itself breathing space in the group by winning 1-0 at Valencia last month to go top. The Spanish side is away at Rangers next.
Barcelona is looking to climb above Group D leader FC Copenhagen when it hosts the Danish team on Wednesday, while Chelsea and Spartak Moscow - two of eight sides with 100 percent records so far - meet at the Luzhniki Stadium on Tuesday in Group F.
Chelsea returns to the ground for the first time since losing to Manchester United on penalties in the 2008 Champions League final.
The top two teams in Group H, Arsenal and Shakhtar Donetsk, clash at the Emirates stadium, Group B leader Lyon is at home to Benfica and Bayern Munich looks to make it three wins from three in Group E when it hosts Cluj.
