So the Champions League stuck to its history in 2014-15, with Barcelona becoming the competition's fourth different winner in four seasons as the continent's greatest prize again proved indefensible—for the 25th consecutive year.
Real Madrid, of course, were the ones unable to repeat as European Cup winners, falling short at the semi-final stage to eventual runners-up Juventus.
But perhaps 2015-16 will be different for Los Blancos, the club no longer possessing the cursed mantle of defending champions. The path, however, to the pinnacle of Europe remains arduous, and Real Madrid face a number of significant obstacles they must navigate to reach Champions League glory next season.