Come the end of the season, it will be eight long years since Zinedine Zidane's moment of magic against Bayer Leverkusen in Glasgow, meeting Roberto Carlos' cross first time with a volley that crashed into the top corner.

That victory in Scotland was Madrid's third in five years and there were hopes of their 'galacticos' dominating the competition like they did between 1956 and 1960 when they won the European Cup five times in a row.

Vicente del Bosque had overseen a successful period for the club but his departure marked a change in fortunes, with the underachievement blamed on the emphasis being on superstar status rather than a winning mentality.

Claude Makelele's departure to Chelsea was the symbol of how Real had taken their eye off the ball - the man who held their midfield together was gone as David Beckham arrived.

It is no surprise the club have been pursuing Xabi Alonso this summer - a defensive midfielder with a range of passing. Regardless of who else they sign, Ronaldo, Kaka and Benzema should provide the firepower for Real to be serious contenders for Barcelona's crown.

Barca will not make radical changes from the side that defeated Manchester United in the final last season. Samuel Eto'o has left for Inter Milan, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic going in the opposite direction - but Pep Guardiola will again rely on Xavi and Andres Iniesta keeping the ball in midfield and Lionel Messi leading the attack with Thierry Henry.

"We are going to try," Guardiola said. "They (Madrid) pay a lot of money to get players but we're going to try - we'll take the ball and attack.

"I'm convinced if we have the same spirit we are going to be there at the end of the season looking to get something."

The Premier League's four representatives are expected to challenge again, as they did last season when there were three teams in the semi-finals.

Arsenal's challenge looks the weakest, after losing Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure to cash-rich Manchester City. But they are hopeful of Cesc Fabregas being fit for the entire campaign this time around and Theo Walcott provides their pace.

United may have lost Carlos Tevez to City as well as Ronaldo to Real - but they have Michael Owen hungry to prove his form and fitness, while £17million signing Antonio Valencia will provide width.

"We will be a lot more compact as a team with Cristiano gone, more compact in midfield and harder to break down," said centre-back Rio Ferdinand.

"One thing I'm sure of is that Ronaldo going will bring the best out in our players.

"We know he scored a lot of goals in the last two seasons for us, but we have players who are capable of doing that and I'm sure they can go out there, do that job and fill the gap."

Sir Alex Ferguson will be hoping that the team he has built will carry on winning without Ronaldo's spark, although Chelsea and Liverpool will be looking to take advantage of any weakness.

Chelsea will tap into the European experience of Carlo Ancelotti, who won the Champions League in 2003 and 2007 with AC Milan, and have been boosted by John Terry opting to stay at Stamford Bridge rather than move to Manchester City where his wages would be considerably increased.

"I am totally committed to Chelsea and always have been," said Chelsea skipper Terry. "Chelsea have also made it clear to me consistently that there was never any intention to accept any kind of offer.

"When you are linked with any club, or with a manager who I have huge respect for (in City's Mark Hughes), it will always make headlines, but me leaving Chelsea was never a possibility."

Liverpool have had no problems keeping hold of their players but signing them has been a different matter.

Challenging United in the Premier League is also a huge part of their plans and to maintain their Champions League hopes led them to pursuing Gareth Barry from Aston Villa. City pipped them to the punch but Rafael Benitez has at least bolstered his defence with Glen Johnson from Portsmouth.

They have European pedigree and in Fernando Torres, a striker who wants to replace Ronaldo as the Premier League's top player.

"Of course, my ambition is to be seen in that same way as Cristiano Ronaldo was seen at Manchester United," Torres said.

"First we have to win trophies. I know only then will people be able to speak the same way about Liverpool and me as they have done (about) Ronaldo and United.

"We're excited because we think this can be the year for Liverpool. But we know how difficult it's going to be."