Xabi Alonso has pondered Real Madrid's chances in the Champions League this year, and he believes that they must stay focussed if they are to avoid the same fate that Spain suffered during the summer.
"In a tournament like this there is no margin for error, and our defeat to the United States in the Confederations Cup proves that," he explained in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"We need a great deal of concentration and some good luck."
Luck is one of the factors that has been missing for Milan this season, but Alonso does not believe that los Blancos' tie on Wednesday will be as straightforward as some might think.
"We are expecting a strong Milan. They have experienced players who know how to handle pressure, bad moods and people's comments. It will not be easy."
Alonso added that his team should not be compared to Barcelona because their project is just starting.
"We want to win and to play well, we are ambitious, but don't compare us," he concluded.