5 Reasons Why Real Madrid Can Become the 1st Side to Retain the Champions League

If Sergio Ramos hadn't risen in stoppage time in Lisbon and thumped the ball beyond Thibaut Courtois, the Champions League would once again be ridden with talk of Real Madrid's quest for La Decima.

As it is, Ramos did rise, and Madrid eventually prevailed after extra time, at last clinching their 10th European Cup after waiting more than a decade to do so.

Ambition doesn't just end for a club like Madrid, though, with sealing one of their dreams, so the narrative soon shifted from winning La Decima to bidding for La Undecima—their 11th European Cup.

To do that, however, they will have to become the first side in the modern Champions League era to retain the trophy.

Ahead of Tuesday night's opening match in this season's competition against Swiss side FC Basel, here are five reasons why they are capable of doing just that.

Carlo Ancelotti

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Real Madrid may have got off to a rocky start domestically this season, but in Carlo Ancelotti, they have a manager capable of restoring the calm, regardless of the panic which will always follow back-to-back league defeats at any of Europe's biggest clubs.

And, in addition to that, the Italian is also a proven winner in the Champions League.

He twice led AC Milan to the top of Europe's table, and of course, he will forever be known as the coach who rewarded Los Blancos with their 10th European Cup.

Ancelotti puts up with a lot off the pitch, but he manages to maintain the status quo on it. If they do find themselves toiling in the league, Madrid will remain in good hands in Europe, providing president Florentino Perez doesn't pull the trigger.

Match-Winners

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Even when they're in rotten form, Real Madrid are always capable of winning a match due to the sheer nature of the quality in their squad.

Cristiano Ronaldo has so often been the difference in important games over the past several seasons, while Gareth Bale, in his first campaign with the club, demonstrated his big-match ability with goals in the Copa del Rey and Champions League final last term.

On top of that, James Rodriguez, who lit up Colombia's World Cup with six goals, has now been added to the ranks, while Karim Benzema will always be a goal threat as well.

Backing up those four, who have begun the season in favour, are Mexican striker Javier Hernandez and academy graduate Jese Rodriguez—once he returns from the injury which cut his season short last time around.

Main Focus

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Defeats to Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid have left Real Madrid six points behind Barcelona after just three matches in La Liga.

Two up against La Real, they eventually succumbed to a 4-2 defeat in San Sebastian, and after following that up by losing to rivals Atleti at the Bernabeu, alarm bells are already ringing with regards to their ability to fight for the title in Spain this season.

However, if they do fall back in La Liga, it could allow them to put all of their exertions into becoming the first club in the modern Champions League era to retain the title.

It's certainly a feat that Perez would be keen to be associated with.

Favourable Draw

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As top seeds, Real Madrid were always likely to get a decent draw in Nyon last month, and they'll certainly be happy with the way the balls were pulled.

Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool side will represent a tough challenge, and Basel, who beat Chelsea home and away in last season's competition, will not be underestimated by Ancelotti and his players.

Bulgarian side Ludogorets, however, despite their impressive rise over the last decade, shouldn't represent too much resistance against the Spanish heavyweights.

Win the group and they'll be likely to benefit from another favourable draw in the last 16. Before you know it, it's March and Madrid are already in the quarter-finals.

Modern History

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Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Manchester United. ... In descending order, these are the most recent winners of the Champions League and all of those listed are recognised across the world as some of Europe's biggest and most successful clubs in the modern era.

English football has seen the likes of Wigan and Portsmouth win the FA Cup in recent seasons, but these sort of surprises rarely happen in the Champions League.

Not since Porto won the competition in 2004 and, arguably, Liverpool's success in 2005 have people been overly surprised by the name inscribed on Europe's biggest trophy at the end of a season.

And, once again, the competition is unlikely to see a shock winner; there is a group of five or six clubs who are capable of winning this season's Champions League, and Real Madrid rank among them.