Real eye Paris final as perfect place to celebrate
For nine-times champions Real Madrid, the European Cup remains an obsession, a tournament that they have come to see as their own.
For nine-times champions Real Madrid, the European Cup remains an obsession, a tournament that they have come to see as their own.
They are also determined to win it this season back in Paris next May - the 50th anniversary of their victory in the first European Cup in Paris in 1956.
However, Real have experienced some dispiriting defeats in recent seasons.
Real last won the Champions League in 2002 when they beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 thanks to a sublime volley from Zinedine Zidane. It was the club's third victory in five seasons, but since then they have gone into a tailspin in European competition.
The Spanish giants have been eliminated one round earlier in each subsequent edition of the Champions League since their victory at Hampden Park.
They lost to Juventus in the semi-finals in 2003, to AS Monaco in the quarters in 2004 and then failed to make the last eight for the first time in a decade when they fell victim to the Italians once more last season.
However, Real have undergone a 59 million-euro ($73.07 million) make-over since their morale-sapping defeat against Juve last March and the side now appears to have the balance and depth that has been missing over the past two or three years.
The incorporation of battle-hardened Uruguayan midfielder Pablo Garcia and fellow countryman Carlos Diogo has deepened the side's defensive resources and given coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo more options to rotate players at the back.
Danish midfielder Thomas Gravesen, who joined Real from Everton midway through last season, has strengthened the centre of midfield, whilst the possible return to action of England centre-back Jonathan Woodgate would be a major boost to the back four.
Although renowned for their attractive attack-minded football, Real's forward line lacked spark in last season's European campaign, but the addition of Brazilian duo Robinho and Julio Baptista should rectify that problem.
The dazzling ball skills of Robinho and the power and speed of Baptista are likely to be used to compliment the devastating finishing skills of Ronaldo to make a formidable all-Brazilian front line.
The main problem facing Luxemburgo will be how to make room for the new recruits in the team.
The injection of fresh blood also appears to have reinvigorated the more senior members of the squad.
After an anonymous campaign last season, Zinedine Zidane is determined to shine in what could be his swan song before retirement, David Beckham is desperate to win his first trophy since joining the club two years ago, and skipper Raul is anxious to recapture his form in World Cup year.
Former World and European Player of the Year Luis Figo and Argentine internationals Santiago Solari and Walter Samuel have all decamped to Inter Milan.
The departure of Michael Owen to Newcastle United probably won't have a huge impact on their campaign which kicks off at Lyon on September 13.
Overall Real feel that they have the resources at their disposal to mount a serious challenge for their 10th European crown.