Real Madrid last found success on the international stage when Roberto Carlos was penciled in at left back and Claude Makelele was the best holding midfielder in the world. Roberto Carlos is winding down his career at Corinthians; Makelele was foolishly sold in 2003. So it's been awhile.

One of those problems is about to be solved. Just as Roberto Carlos was pried from Inter Milan in 1996, Real are about to sign mirror-image Maicon from Inter now.

It really is a mirror-image of Brazilians who think the best defense is a good offense: Maicon doesn't play on the left; he roams the right. And it's something of a carnival mirror: Roberto Carlos could dress up for Hallowe'en as a fire hydrant, while Maicon could go out as a tree.

The key is that their playing styles are similar: each is a defender of above-average ability who can run 50 yards with the ball. Like a puck-handling defenseman, this opens up many more attacking options by letting other players take up aggressive positions without the ball.

The holding midfielder spot still needs to be sorted out. Current choice Fernando Gago doesn't look to be the answer—and Manchester City wants to overpay for him anyway. Neither Raul Albiol nor Alvaro Arbeloa should be moved up from defense. Garay might get a shot at the job. More likely, however, a player will be bought.

Esteban Cambiasso would be a clever choice, but he left Real for Inter on bitter terms in 2004. Given that Real have already poached the coach and are circling Maicon, it's also unlikely that Inter would want to part with Cambiasso as well. Despite all evidence to the contrary, Javier Zanetti would play until he's 50, and Cambiasso will one day try to fill Zanetti's humongous shoes.