Brother beyond

IN A season of success stories at the San Siro, Kahka Kaladze has warmed more hearts than most. It’s not just his conversion from a tough-tackling midfielder into an astute, marauding wing-back, even though the relish with which he has taken to that role has ensured Paulo Maldini will delight them for a few more years in Milan.

It's not even his raids down the left that knit seamlessly into the attacking verve that make AC Milan among the Champions League favourites.

With increasing regularity, Kaladze finds himself lavished with praise by the demanding red and black tifosi. No easy task in a team of Rivaldo, Schevchenko and Rui Costa.