Only Zinedine Zidane's former club Juventus stand between the Real Madrid coach and football history in tomorrow's star-studded Champions league final in Cardiff.
A head coach for only 17 months, the former France playmaker can become the first manager to win back-to-back European Cups in the post-1992 Champions league era.
Zidane had a hand in Madrid's ninth, 10th and 11th European triumphs – as a player, assistant coach and head coach – and the quest for the 'Duodecima' (12th) brings him up against an old flame.
"I played at Juventus for five years and I've got good memories of that time. It's a special final," said the Frenchman.
"We're very close to doing it (winning successive finals) and we're the first to be so close to doing it for so many years. But we haven't won anything yet."
Victorious against city rivals Atletico Madrid in the 2014 and 2016 finals, Real are chasing a third success in four seasons.
It would allow them to proclaim European dominance with a conviction they last possessed during Alfredo Di Stefano's five consecutive wins of the late 1950s.
Zidane, 44, has already led his team to glory in la liga, ending a five-year league title drought, as well as the Club World Cup and European Super Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, can claim a fourth European crown, which would only enhance his chances of matching fierce rival lionel Messi's haul of five Ballon d'Or successes.
The 32-year-old Portuguese has exploded reports of his demise with stunning hat-tricks against Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals and Atletico in the last four.
"The team is in a sweet spot and we have to take advantage of that," Ronaldo told Real Madrid TV this week. "Now we have a unique opportunity to be the first team to win (the Champions league) on two consecutive occasions."
'Eye of the storm'
While Zidane, Ronaldo and Bale hope their good fortune in the competition continues, Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is praying for a turning of the tide.
"For the past three or four months, Real Madrid have been playing top-level football," Buffon said. "But we're also in top form and that's enough for me."
To prevail, Juve must shed their status of perennial Champions league bridesmaids, having finished runners-up on a record six occasions and lost their last four finals.
Italian champions for the sixth year running and Coppa Italia winners, the Turin giants are also aiming to become only the eighth club to complete the European Treble. They were pursuing the same milestone in 2015, when they lost 3-1 to Barcelona in Berlin, but coach Massimiliano Allegri says his streetwise side are now ready to take the final step.
"There's more conviction. Since Berlin, we've grown a lot - everyone - and that's reassuring," he said.
"We're in the eye of the storm now and we're happy to be here. For me personally, getting to the final is a great joy. I will feel lucky when I sit in the dug-out on Saturday."
While Madrid possess the competition's sharpest attack, Juve boast its meanest defence, having successively shut down the sparkling attacks of Barcelona and Monaco en route to Cardiff.
Beneath a closed roof at the Principality Stadium - a first for a Champions league final - a classic contest beckons. There would be some key individual battles being highlight of the match.
BUFFON vs RONAlDO
Gianluigi Buffon, the 39-year-old Juventus veteran seeking his first Champions league title, takes on Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid star trying to win the title for the third time in four seasons. Ronaldo has gotten the best of Buffon so far, scoring five goals in his four games against the Italy goalkeeper. His last two goals were in the 2015 Champions league semifinals, but it was Buffon's Juventus which ultimately advanced to the final.
AlVES vs MARCElO
The veteran Brazilian fullbacks thrived with their clubs this season. They will be playing on the same side of the pitch on Saturday, attacking and defending against each other. The 29-year-old Marcelo, the skillful left back who has been playing with Madrid for more than a decade, will be trying to win his third Champions league title. The 34-year-old Alves, the sharp right back who joined Juventus from Barcelona this season, will be seeking his fourth trophy in Europe's top club competition. He won three with Barcelona.
HIGUAIN vs RAMOS
Gonzalo Higuain, who moved to Juventus from Napoli for an Italian-record 90 million euros, gets a chance to prove his worth against former Real Madrid teammate Sergio Ramos. The two played together in Madrid from 2007-13 and Higuain said they still maintain contact. Higuain, the overpowering Argentine striker, had a solid season with 24 goals in the Italian league and five in the Champions league. Ramos, one of the stars for Madrid in the last two European finals won by the club, excelled in defense and offense, finding the net 10 times in all competitions this season for his best scoring mark of his career.
DYBAlA vs MODRIC
It will be youth against experience as Juventus' Paulo Dybala goes against Real Madrid veteran luka Modric. The 23-year-old Dybala has made an impact on the international stage this season, so much that he even earned comparisons with compatriot lionel Messi. 31-year-old Modric is a key piece in Madrid's midfield, providing the first line of protection to the defense and often threatening in attack with his precise assists and long-range shots.
AllEGRI vs. ZIDANE
Two former players, Massimiliano Allegri and Zinedine Zidane will be operating from the sidelines on Saturday, each trying to win one last trophy in what has been a remarkable season for both clubs. Allegri, a manager since 2003, is in his second Champions league final and seeking his first title. Zidane, on the job for less than two seasons, is trying to become the first coach to win back-to-back European titles.