Alfredo Di Stefano, a member of that all-conquering side, always claimed that the playing field was more levelled during the competition's early days, when it was restricted only to the champions of a country's respective top league. The traditional knock-out format also ensured that there was minimal room for error due to the risk of elimination in the two-legged play-off.
Real has since extended their domination to a record-breaking 11 titles, including two of the last three finals as they and Barcelona have seen LaLiga dominate the competition. Los Blancos' most recent triumphs were also all-Spanish finals with Atletico Madrid providing the opposition on both occasions, in 2014 and 2016.
The Champions League in numbers
16 titles and 11 runners-up Spanish teams have achieved more in the competition than the rest of Europe combined.
1.3 billion euros.Those competing in the Champions League and UEFA Super Cup have the chance to win part of a bumper 1.3 billion euros prize fund. Winners of the competition can earn up to 56.7m.
158 matchesIker Casillas currently holds the all-time record for appearances. Behind him stand Xavi (157), Ryan Giggs (151), Raul (144), Paolo Maldini (140) and Cristiano Ronaldo (131).
Spain's grip on the Champions League is undisputable; with 16 trophies won and 11 runners-up, while the competition's three highest scorers - Cristiano Ronaldo (94), Lionel Messi (93) and Raul (71) - all belong to LaLiga. The same can be said of its record appearance holders in Iker Casillas (158) and Xavi (157) while Real's total of 47 seasons in the competition outstrip those of Bayern Munich (33) and Barcelona (27).
Problems retaining the title
Successful defences of the Champions League, however, have become easier said than done since the competition's advent in the 1992/93 campaign. Despite Real and Barcelona becoming the leaders of the tournament, with a combined seven titles between them, neither has managed to achieve the feat since Arrigo Sacchi's AC Milan retained their title in the 1989/90 season.
Increased prize money
The rewards associated with the competition will also increase this season with 1.3 billion euros set to be distributed to those vying in the Champions League thanks to increased broadcast revenues.
Providing they can top the group stages, the eventual winners can reap as much as 56.7m euros - 2.5m on last season - in revenue. The 32 clubs taking part in the group stages can expect to receive up to 12.7m euros from participating, equating to 1.5m per win and half that figure for a draw. Reaching the knock-out stage is worth 6m euros per club, with the figure rising to 6.5m for quarter-finals, 7.5m for the semi-final while the winners receive 15.5m and 11m goes to the runners-up.
Shares of the 507m euro revenue from broadcasting is distributed among participants in relation to the TV audience of clubs in the competition.
Half will be split on the league positioning which allowed the club to qualify for the Champions League and the other half dependent on the number of matches in which they participated.
LaLiga trio among favourites
Real, Barcelona and Atletico are among this season's favourites alongside the likes of Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.
Fellow LaLiga rivals and Europa League holders Sevilla, Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal and Napoli all find themselves in the second tier of the competition's expectations.
But the greatest challenge to Spain's current dominance lies in Bayern, now under the tutelage of former Real coach Carlo Ancelotti and armed with the arrival of Renato Sanches to strengthen an already formidable attacking line.
Juventus, too, have strengthened with the captures of Gonzalo Higuain, Dani Alves and Miralem Pjanic while Pep Guardiola's appointment at City will see the two-time Champions League winner attempt to add a third to his CV./ShikoNews
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