Real Madrid midfielder Steve McManaman believes the experience of his World Cup winning team-mates Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos could give his side an edge when they take on Manchester United in the Champions League on Tuesday.
"Recently, we have performed very well in big games and we have the best collection of big-game players in the world," said McManaman.
But the former Liverpool player admitted he was impressed by United's 4-0 thrashing of his old club yesterday and anticipates a tough match.
"Confidence is very high in both sides," he said. "Manchester had a great morale boost. Yesterday's game against Liverpool was a bit strange with the sending-off and the penalty, but it's still a great result for them."
McManaman, who has contributed to two of Real's nine Champions League wins and scored in the 2000 final against Valencia in Paris, believes United are a stronger side than the one Madrid beat on the way to that final.
"Man U don't have any weaknesses at the moment," said McManaman. "They are playing well in the league and the Champions League. They are like Real Madrid. They like to attack and have a good team. They are also defending better than last time.
"Meanwhile, we are on a high and it's a great sign that we won (3-1 against Rayo Vallecano) when not playing well."
Madrid owed last night's victory to decisive contributions from substitutes Javier Portillo and Fernando Morientes, who between them scored three goals in the last five minutes when all was looking lost for Madrid.
"Portillo was excellent yesterday and Morientes only warmed up for one minute before scoring twice," he said. "The fact we can make a double change like that is very important for us."
But experience has taught McManaman that expectation does not always produce a classic encounter.
"I remember when I was at Liverpool in the 1995-96 season, we had some classic games with Manchester that year before we met in the FA Cup final, and that was a horrible game for the fans," he said.
"However, European games are different and I think both sides will go out to score goals."