La Undecima

Real Madrid’s conquest of the Champions League has proved a watershed moment for the club, and the energy flowing out of them is immense.

The huge surge of confidence and entitlement that a club feels after conquering the European Champions League is gargantuan. It is almost tangible; the huge aura of confidence that surround the club and everything they’ve done. Real Madrid are exuding power after one of the greatest seasons in their history. La Decima was finally conquered.

What’s more, they are surely not keen on another 12 years without challenging in Europe. They have spent big, and they have made surgical alterations to the squad in a bid to alter the profile of their Champions League winning squad.

Why?

Because they believe in the curse of the Champions League - "The same team shall not win the Champions League twice in a row". They’re going to make this team completely different. You should never fix what is not broken, but history proves that in the European Champions League, if you do not change, you lose. So they’ve changed.

But in football its not only about how well you work. Other clubs also make signings and changes and the competition on offer this year is shaping up to be far more difficult to maneuver against than last year’s.

Barcelona has built a formidable squad, as have Atletico Madrid and Manchester City. Chelsea and Bayern Munich have signed a few, critical players to boost their attacks, and they are raring to go. And let’s not forget Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus. All those sides will be baying for Madrid’s blood, and if they cannot beat them, their dream of an 11th Champions League will burn before their eyes. So Real Madrid have done their best to improve.

Toni Kroos has been purchased from Bayern Munich to drive the midfield with the swagger and efficiency that Joachim Loew used to win the World Cup. James Rodriguez has been purchased at a premium price, and the Golden Boot winner will be displaying his stupendous skills to all and sundry in Europe.

However, the Decima-winning seasons will forever remain in the club’s memory. That night in Lisbon was a unique one, a moment when Real Madrid confirmed their status as the biggest club in football. The deeds of Angel Di Maria, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo could not be bettered by anyone, it seemed.

But Florentino Perez had other ideas. Real Madrid have signed some top-class players, and legendary coach Carlo Ancelotti is hard at work with former Chelsea coach Paul Clement.

When Iker Casillas said that they would be looking for their 11th Champions League, he was not joking. They meant it, and they’ll go all the way for it.