Real have infinite lives in the Champions League Real Madrid Juventus could have eliminated the Spanish giants

Zinedine Zidane's time as coach of Real Madrid has been littered with near-misses where the team has narrowly avoided elimination in the Champions League, Wednesday was no different and it certainly seems as though Los Blancos has infinite lives in the tournament.

Italian champions Juventus arrived in the Spanish capital in the knowledge that they needed to score at least three unanswered goals, they did just that and were set to head into extra time with momentum before Cristiano Ronaldo spared Madrid's blushes with a late penalty.

No matter the situation, Zidane's team always finds a way to stay alive, it's exactly the kind of good fortune that is required to lift the European Cup, never mind be on course for winning it three years in a row.

Following Barcelona's calamitous exit at the hands of Roma on Tuesday evening, there was a real fear around the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu that Los Blancos would go the same way.

Yet just as the reaper's scythe was about to come down, the hosts were awarded a penalty that has been met with fury from those involved with Juventus, specifically Gianluigi Buffon.

Ronaldo was once again the hero, just as he likes it, his penalty was well struck and it brought an outpouring of emotion from the crowd, the vast majority exporting a feeling of relief.

Just as he did in the San Siro against Atletico Madrid, he secured a triumph for his team from the penalty spot, the higher the pressure the more the former Manchester United forward responds.

Ties against Borussia Dortmund, Wolfsburg, Bayern Munich and even Atletico Madrid have all seen Los Blancos live on the precipice of elimination yet they've always managed to progress.

This is how the modern history of the Champions League's most successful club has evolved, the team's glory is based upon managing to survive through incredibly testing circumstances.

There is significant individual talent within Real Madrid's squad, yet it's their psychological advantage that makes things difficult for opposition teams in knockout ties.

It's no coincidence that Los Blancos are able to be so disappointing domestically, yet they remain favourites to lift the Champions League trophy.

People have a confidence that stems from the club's ability to continuously escape disaster, these stories will be recounted for years to come and those involved with the club will be hoping that another fairytale ending comes in Kiev in May.