Sergio Ramos reveals Real Madrid’s goal this season

With three-time UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid set to get their 2018-19 campaign underway later tonight at the Santiago Bernabeu against AS Roma, captain Sergio Ramos has sounded confident about his team's chances and insisted that his team are targeting their fourth consecutive Champions League crown this season.

Over the last three seasons, Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid were unbeatable in the tournament as they raced their way to title on all three occasions. This season, Julen Lopeteugi will have a huge task in his hands to repeat what his predecessor managed to do during his tenure.

Talking to the media ahead of Roma clash, Ramos admitted that there are so many strong teams to encounter in the Champions League and Barcelona are always the favourites to win the tournament as they have been strong in LaLiga, which is the best league in Europe according to him.

He also added that irrespective of who they face, the team will always look to be competitive and this season, there is an extra motivation for his team to lift the trophy as doing that in their rivals' home will be extra special.

'There are many strong rivals you need to face in the Champions League, none are straightforward. Barcelona are always favourites to win this competition because they have been so strong in Spain in recent years, and La Liga is the best league.

'It’s normal that great players make winning this competition a core objective for them and that includes us, we always start this competition looking to lift it. Regardless of the opponent or the stage, Real Madrid must always look to be competitive and to win the tournaments that we are involved in.

'This season is an extra motivation for us because the final is in our rival’s stadium and to lift the trophy here would be extra special,' Ramos said.

The final of the 2018-19 Champions League will be played at the home of Atletico Madrid, Wanda Metropolitan on June 1, 2019.