Benzema and Thiago Silva: A lifelong battle

On Wednesday night, Karim Benzema and Thiago Silva will be facing each other on the pitch for the 11th time.

The pair could well go for a coffee together and look back over their numerous past encounters, which play an important part in the story of the Champions League in the last decade.

Benzema has taken on Thiago Silva as a Real Madrid player when the Brazilian represented AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and now Chelsea, while they have also done battle at international level back when the striker still played for France.

The first time they met, back in 2009, Real Madrid had nine European Cups to their name and Milan seven.

Thiago Silva was one of the big-name arrivals that the Rossoneri hoped would bring them glory again, having last lifted the trophy in 2007 in Istanbul, also the venue for this year's final.

His team won 3-2 that day at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, with goals from Andrea Pirlo and Alexandre Pato (two) securing the victory over Los Blancos, whose goalscorers were Raul Gonzalez and Royston Drenthe.

In the almost 12 years since then, Thiago Silva has yet to get his hands on the Champions League trophy, despite having played for some of the continent's biggest clubs.

Benzema, meanwhile, has four winners' medals in his collection and arrives at this latest encounter with his old foe Thiago Silva in the form of his life.