By AFPMore by this AuthorMADRIDSuch is Real Madrid's confidence in creating more Champions League history that while others have spent hundreds of millions trying to catch up, the back-to-back European champions were happy to cash in. Yet they remain very much the side to beat as the Champions League returns on Tuesday having ended a near three-decade long wait for a team to retain the trophy. "We are the champions so everyone faces us with extra motivation," warned former Real striker Emilio Butragueno, now the club's director of institutional relations. Real will be bolstered for the visit of the Cypriot champions in midweek by the return of Cristiano Ronaldo. Having not replaced Morata, Bale was forced to act as an auxiliary striker against Levante after Benzema went off injured.

Source: Daily Nation September 12, 2017 00:56 UTC