It seems to be economic wisdom these days that to escape a recession, you have to spend your way out. That might work in the real world, but in soccer, not so well.

Case in point: Real Madrid, where Florentino Perez took over the presidency of the storied club for the second time last year, then spent about $362 million Canadian acquiring new players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká and Xabi Alonso.

The object was to win the Champions League, especially this season, when the May final will be held at Madrid's stadium, the massive Bernabeu. A win also would hand Real its 10th European club title.