It all started in Rome; Real Madrid's historic Champions League treble all began at the Stadio Olimpico on February 17, 2016 when Zinedine Zidane debuted as Los Blancos boss in Europe with no idea of what he would go on to achieve.
Zidane had taken the reins a month before, on January 9, having succeeded Rafa Benitez in the capital and had begun to straighten things out in LaLiga Santander with five wins and one draw.
Returning to Europe, Zidane got his win and, in doing so, won over the dressing room even more and the proof was in Cristiano Ronaldo's embrace after scoring the game's first goal.
"The unity of the team and being together is fundamental," Zidane said after the game that night.
"Of course there is one, Cristiano, who makes the difference.
"It makes me happy to see all of the players celebrate like this."
It was the picture of a new Madrid, one that would go on from this night in Rome to be crowned European champions in Milan.
The incredible trajectory of Madrid in Europe under Zidane began in Rome on February 17, 2016, and ended in Kiev on May 26, 2018.
Three years of triumph, from one season to the next; the club played 33 times during the period, winning 23, drawing six and losing just four matches.
Now, Real return to Rome in a similar situation after a coaching change and although it will be Santiago Solari's second Champions League game in charge, he is hoping to challenge the spirit of the history there, because everything began in Rome.
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Zidane up!up!