Madrid, Spain (My Sportsbook) - Real Madrid captain Raul knows the additions of Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo - the last two FIFA World Players of the Year - have raised expectations, but he thinks the team is "capable of achieving what this club demands."

Real Madrid won back-to-back Spanish La Liga titles in 2007 and 2008, but lost the crown to Barcelona last season, and hasn't won the Champions League since 2002.

For Madrid, winning the league every season and capturing the Champions League more often is expected, and Kaka and Ronaldo are now expected to lead the club to the top of Europe again.

"They are very important players who want to do things right," Raul said. "They are adapting quickly and thats good news because that way they can give everything they've got."

Real has reached the knockout stage of the Champions League for six straight seasons, but has failed to win a single series in the elimination round.

"Historically, it has been a competition in which Real Madrid has performed brilliantly," Raul said, "but in the last seasons we have been knocked out too soon."

That shouldn't be a problem anymore.

In addition to adding Kaka and Ronaldo for more than $250 million, Madrid also more quietly lured Karim Benzema from Marseille and Xabi Alonso from Liverpool in two more moves costing nearly $50 million apiece.

Madrid wasn't done spending, though, totaling nearly $400 million in transfers to build a Champions League winner.

Defender Raul Albiol joined from Valencia for more than $20 million and Alvaro Arebola from Liverpool and Esteban Granero from Getafe were brought in for $6 million apiece to wrap up the additions.

Madrid brought in so many players, it let Dutch stars Arjen Robben leave for a $35 million switch to Bayern Munich, Wesley Sneijder for $22 million to Inter Milan, and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar for $26 million to AC Milan.

Real was drawn with AC Milan in the Champions League, meaning Kaka will meet up with his old team and Huntelaar will try to prove his worth. Bayern and the Italian champions, Inter, are also some of Real's main competitors in the CL.

Manchester United, which won the Champions League in 2008 and lost the final to Barcelona last season, would also relish a shot at Real - which got Ronaldo in the record-breaking $132 million transfer.

Kaka admitted that "what matter is that we unite," or all the big names will not make a difference.

"We are already seeing signs of unity on the field and that must continue," he added.

Madrid, which opens against Deportivo on Saturday, will not have an easy time capturing La Liga, though, especially with Barcelona just as good - or better - than last season.

"We are building a team to compete with Barcelona," Kaka said, "and also in Europe where there are other competitors."

Barcelona returns most of its team, led by Argentine Lio Messi. Striker Samuel Eto'o was let go to Inter Milan, but Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic moved over from the Italian club for $66 million.

Barca also added Ukrainian defender Dmytro Chygrynskiy from Shakhtar Donetsk for $36 million, Brazilian forward Keirrison from Palmeiras for a fee of $20 million, and Brazilian defender Maxwell from Inter Milan for $6.5 million.

Barcelona beat Shakhtar in the Super Cup on Friday, 1-0 in extra time, doesn't open until Monday against Sporting Gijon.

Sevilla and Atletico Madrid, which also qualified for the Champions League and are in the group stage, will have trouble cracking the top two. Villarreal and the rest of La Liga could battle for a top-five spot and a European berth, but Real's offseason and Barcelona's current side has turned Spain into a two-team battle.