Thanks everyone - I will take the risk and carry both the trolley and small bag pack on board. I never ever had any issue with any Star Alliance carriers in a similar situation - leveraging my Star Gold status & boarding from the Business Class line always helped & worked out . Also, I would like to avoid at any cost having my carry on luggage (a Rimowa trolley) checked in by the agent at the gate: though I am sure they will do it for free, it will get destroyed.