Madrid to go all the way in the Champions league?

Three semifinals for the last three years, still Madrid have a new coach and new players. Tells you something about Madrid – last four place is not good enough for them. They want to be Champions. So is this season the season they go all the way?
Madrid would be happy to not draw Manchester City and Arsenal in the draw of last 16. They would be pleased to see one of Arsenal or Bayern or one of Barcelona and City being eliminated in the round of 16.
Schalke, though a formidable opponent, would not be at the same level as Munich or Dortmund, Madrid’s nemesis over the years.
But, if a team wants to win the Champions league, it has to beat the best teams. So does Madrid have a team that can possibly do that?
Cristiano Ronaldo is at the peak of his career. He is scoring goals for fun as well as assisting his teammate. Probably Blatter’s comments on him and signing a new contract with Madrid has spurred the Portuguese on. Ronaldo is still to win a Champions league medal with Madrid, a hunger that would make him perform above par.
But Madrid is far from being only Ronaldo.
Isco, in the few months he has played at Madrid has showed his excellent creativity as well as goal scoring knack.
Then there is the multi million dollar worth Gareth Bale. He is adjusting well at Madrid. 10 games have produced 7 goals and 6 assists. His speed on the left wing gives Madrid an option to score on crosses rather than focus on going through the centre of midfield.
Then the midfield of Madrid has the regular culprits – Alonso, a man who holds the midfield together. Maria – whose speed makes him an asset in counter attack.
The midfield today comes close to the Champions League winning midfield of Madrid in 2002 – Zidane and Figo supported by Makelele, Guti and McManaman.
The defence under Ramos and Pepe looks to be secure. Defence required co-ordination as well and the duo have together played multiple matches for Madrid this season.
The goal looks to be secure under Lopez, who is performing above par by keeping Casillas out of the Madrid goal.
There is no Roberto Carlos as there was in 2002, but the defence does look good and I dare say better than the one led by Hierro in that time.
Probably, the position Madrid is left wanting is the Striker position. Benzema is not a Suarez or an Aguerro. He certainly is not a goal poacher either. With Suarez signing a new contract at Liverpool and Aguerro more keen to play against Messi at Barcelona, reinforcements are not easy to find for the striker’s position.
This is where Madrid might struggle, a position commanded by Ronaldo (the Brazilian) and Raul in 2002.
Then the coach, Carlo Ancelloti, is a man with experience of winning European Cups with multiple sides. Unlike Mourinho he is more work and less talk and has been doing some good work at Madrid.
Then there is a certain Zinedine Zidane, sporting director at Madrid, the man who pushed for bringing Bale to the Bernabeu. His goal in 2002 gave Madrid the Champions league trophy. He would be an integral part of Madrid’s quest for this year’s trophy through his efforts off the field.
Madrid does have a team and coach that has strengths and weaknesses. Going all the way in the Champions league would be about playing to their strengths and improving on their weaknesses.