Real Madrid: What Los Blancos Must Do to Win the Champions League Next Year

Difficult as it may be to better this current Real Madrid squad, there are notable changes, tweaks and even continuations Jose Mourinho can make to his squad to ensure victory in the Champions League next season.

Of course, there would never have been a more opportune time to push on and capture the Champions League than this season. Barcelona were knocked out by Chelsea, and the victory in the Clasico at the home of Madrid's fiercest rivals should have been enough motivation to drive them past Bayern Munich.

It wasn't ever a case of Madrid needing to grind out the results. This Real Madrid are on the brink of being the finished article—the final cut—and are far removed from the diamond in the rough they were 18 months ago. Real Madrid now are done with the grinding and the snatch and grab wins of earlier in the season.

But even a total of over 100 goals combined from Cristiano Ronaldo, Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema wasn't enough. In truth, you can't really fault any of the players this season. There was simply no more wind in the sails.

For Mourinho, it will be imperative he ensures the powerful Madrid juggernaut doesn't fall before the finish line.

There's enough here for a Champions League trophy—comfortably the best squad in Europe—but Mourinho needs to trust his squad, buy where he needs and keep them fresh for the entire La Liga and Champions League campaigns.

Improve the Defence

There's a lot to be impressed with from this Real Madrid back line. Sergio Ramos' move into the centre has catapulted the whole Madrid team where they need to be—a side able to play out of defence with confidence and tactical and technical prowess.

The rotation of Marcelo and Fabio Coentrao has given Madrid polar opposites in the left-back position. A gift, in many ways, that means Jose Mourinho is easily able to adjust according to the opposition.

However, for all it's praises that it deserves, there's a notable lack of depth on defence.

Raul Albiol has evidently not been entrusted with high-profile games—or any games for that matter. The promising Raphael Varane might have to wait until next season for an extended run in the side, and the experienced Ricardo Carvalho is a permanent resident on the injury table.

Furthermore, depth is needed at right-back. Alvaro Arbeloa may be a weakness at times, but he is an excellent servant to the club. At times out of his depth, but quality has been there on occasion.

The disappointments of conceding late goals to CSKA Moscow earlier in the season and allowing Apoel to score two consolation goals at the Bernebau need to be addressed.

Again, it's difficult to enhance an already excellent defence without compromising too much and having a negative impact on the development of players like Varane.

What was notable is the way Sevilla sliced through Madrid's defence on a number of occasions in their earlier match. Cutting out opportunities like that will do a lot for Madrid's progression through the Champions League.

Jose Mourinho Needs to Trust His Players

I've already explained how a lack of rotation has cost Real Madrid this year's Champions League. Playing Bayern Munich twice in a week with a tie in between at the Nou Camp is going to take its toll on even the most confident group of players.

Utilising players like Hamit Altintop, Jose Callejon and Nuri Sahin needs to become the norm. If not, Jose Mourinho needs to supplement the Madrid squad with players he does have faith in.

Part of Madrid's success in the league this season has been their ability to remain at the top of their playing ability, despite rotations in certain areas of the pitch.

Bringing players in like Sahin needs to be done to ensure maximum output until the end of the season. After all, he was good enough to be scouted and purchased, so why is he not good enough to be an important part of the squad?

Naturally, even players at Sahin's level need to be match-fit, rather than thrown into games with little playing time behind them.

There isn't a single player in the Madrid squad that isn't capable of plugging a hole over the course of the season—highlighting the strength of the squad at the Bernabeu—but minutes and trust from the manager is an absolute must.

Confidence

Whether Real Madrid like it or not, they have been in Barcelona's shadow for the past four years.

Winning at the Nou Camp and capturing the La Liga title this season will be a significant step out of second place and into the limelight.

But regardless of what happens with Barcelona over the next year, Real Madrid need to be confident that they can beat them again, should the two teams meet in the Champions League.

Again, it would have been disappointing from a Real Madrid perspective to see them lose in the semifinal. Barcelona were out of the picture, the team were on a high, and the road towards the Champions league trophy itself was clear for all to see. Except, obviously, for Bayern Munich.

Part of disappointment on the faces of Madrid's players following that loss wasn't so much that the Champions League had been lost, but rather that the opportunity to win without the hurdle of Barcelona had gone.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Barcelona at the moment, it will still be physically and mentally exhausting to face them again.

The loss to Bayern shouldn't disguise the fact that Barcelona are still the most difficult challenge for Real Madrid.

Ensure the Squad Retains or Replaces It’s Goal Scorers

Another huge success for Real Madrid over the season has been their trident of goal scorers. Of the three of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema, it might be a case of letting the Argentine leave in the summer.

If Gonzalo Higuain leaves, his goals need to be replaced.

The dominance of Real Madrid in La Liga means they will be able to see out an entire league campaign with just Ronaldo and Benzema as the primary threats in front of goal. However, in Europe it will be important for the team to continue with similar strength in firepower.

Whether it's Sergio Aguero arriving or even Higuain staying, Madrid's three goal scorers will be an integral part of them challenging for the Champions League next season.