The holders are chasing their thirteenth European Cup crown and their third on the trot. So how can Real's Champions League DNA be explained?
If you’re looking for the secret formula underpinning Real Madrid’s success then you might find yourself chasing an illusion.
There appears to be no grand overarching philosophy like there is at Barcelona; no emphasis on one way of playing over another. Instead there is at its very core a relentless pursuit of trophies.
That’s how success is defined at Santiago Bernabeu; trophies and the Champions League above all else. They’ve survived the managerial sackings of Carlo Ancelotti and Rafa Benitez but have nonetheless won three of the last four European titles.