Real Madrid defender Ricardo Carvalho has backed the Spanish side to go further than their semi-final exit from the Champions League last season, and show Barcelona that they are in fact the superior European side.
Madrid lost to Barca in dramatic fashion last term, with a host of red cards and on-field fighting overshadowing the football between Spain's big two.
But now Carvalho believes that the La Liga giants, who claimed this week to be the richest club in the world, can keep their mentality in check and not only reach the final, but win it.
"We reached the semi-finals last season, which means we did well, but we want to do better this year. We'll need to be in the final if we want the trophy,” Carvalho said.
"After the present stage we'll play two games in each ensuing round and you have to play very well in both.
“You can't afford to do well in one and then so-so or badly in the other. We'll have to give good performances in both and also have a little luck to go through."
Carvalho already has a Champions League winners medal to his name, with the Portuguese international holding up the trophy with Jose Mourinho for Porto back in 2004.
And with the two sharing a close relationship, working together at three clubs now including Chelsea in 2004-2007, Carvalho believes they can work together again to achieve top European honours.
"He works on every single detail and very well on a daily basis. He wants you to improve every day," he said.
"It's only normal that you grow as a player, and also as a man, when you work with him. I'm very proud of working with him for such a long time. It's special to be next to him."
Real Madird currently sit at the top of Group D, having defeated Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 away last week.
