This season Real Madrid have been a completely different team in the Champions League, to the side that have struggled at times in La Liga.
The Spanish giants have hammered home ten goals in the first two games, with the 6-1 win at Galatasaray particularly impressive.
However, the real test in Group B comes on Tuesday night, when they host Italian champions Juventus, before the reverse tie takes place in Turin in two weeks.
Carlo Ancelotti, the Real manager, will particularly look forward to the two upcoming games, having been at the helm in Turin a few years back.
"My experience at Juventus was very important in terms of my growth as a coach and a person," Ancelotti said. "The results were perhaps not great but my experiences and memories from that time are good ones. Juventus have lots of quality players, [but] we played well against Malaga at the weekend. I think we have improved since the start of the season. We have more confidence and are playing with greater intensity."
While Real have picked up six points from two matches, Juventus find themselves struggling for momentum in the group, having managed just two draws against FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray.
Juventus also suffered their first defeat of the season, a stunning reverse against Fiorentina in the Serie A, after the champions were seemingly cruising at 2-0.
"It's a very exciting match for us," Juve manager Antonio Conte said. "Tomorrow (Wednesday) will conjure emotions for everybody. We know it will be a difficult match that will show us how far we can go in the competition. Real Madrid are the most famous team in the world. They have a long, rich history and are an example for everyone. They have a structure to win everything every year. We have studied Real Madrid: their strength is amazing, especially if we give them space.
"Real Madrid have huge potential, they can compete with the likes of Bayern [Munich]. They are potential UEFA Champions League winners but we will be positive, we have no fears."
Team News: For Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso remains ruled out, but Karim Benzema, Fabio Coentrao and Raphael Varane, who missed the game at the weekend, a 2-0 win over Malaga, are all expected to return. Iker Casillas is also expected to make the starting lineup with Ancelotti preferring the experienced Spaniard in Europe to the in-form Diego Lopez.
Juventus are without Mirko Vucinic, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Fabio Quagliarella.
Key men: Real Madrid: The superstar duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale will be the cynosure, and if the former, particularly, decides to catch fire, then Juventus could be in trouble.
Juventus: Paul Pogba has been grabbing all the headlines off late, but Carlos Tevez could be the key in his side picking up a goal or two, and with it a positive result.
Where to watch
The game is scheduled for a 12.15 a.m. IST start on Thursday morning with live telecast on Ten Action.
Expected lineups: Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Khedira, Modric; Bale, Isco, Ronaldo; Benzema.
Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Padoin, Pogba, Pirlo, Marchisio, Vidal; Tevez, Llorente.
