Real Madrid are scarcely worse off this season than they were at this stage last year. But why does it feel so different? Why does it feel terminal for coach Julen Lopetegui? Why does it feel hopeless for Madrid’s season even at this early stage?
Well, for one thing Zinedine Zidane had sufficient credit with the supporters and with the Real Madrid president Florentino Perez thanks to his two Champions Leagues and one La Liga in what amounted at that stage to one and a half seasons.
However bad Real Madrid were down the autumn stretch last year, there was a belief that things would come together in spring and they would again be in with a shout of another European title.