4 Reasons why Real Madrid's European dominance is now over

Real Madrid suffered a stunning loss on Sunday as they were beaten 5-1 by a Messi-less Barcelona side. Despite inconsistency in LaLiga over the last few years, Real Madrid were without a doubt the best side in Europe, evidenced by the club winning the Champions League in 4 of the last 5 seasons.

Madrid experienced a summer of change in 2018, and other factors have also combined to a sudden decline, and the team currently lingers 9th on the league table. The team has too much quality to finish mid-table, however, the Spanish club is clearly not equipped to challenge for either the Champions League or La Liga over the remainder of the season.

Here are the four main reason's for Madrid's awful start to the 18/19 season.

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#4 Loss of Zidane

Zidane left his Real Madrid job this summer

Early on in his Madrid reign, Zidane had his fair share of critics who questioned his ability to lead one of the best team's in the world. The World Cup winner soon silenced any doubters as Madrid quickly ascended to become the best team in Europe.

Zidane's tactics were predictable yet he found the perfect harmony and balance in his squad, and the team steamrolled everything in front of them by simply playing to their own strengths.

Zidane, of course, walked away in the summer of 2018, and his replacement Julen Lopetegui has not enjoyed the same harmony in the squad. The club has lost important players, and players are apparently unhappy at trying to replicate different playing styles. The team has moved away from what they excelled at, and the effect of this has been detrimental to results.

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#3 An ageing core

A lot of the longtime Madrid players are now over 30

Despite possessing arguably the strongest starting squad in Europe, a majority of Madrid's most important players are now over 30. This includes 33-year-old Luka Modric, 32-year-old Sergio Ramos and 30-year old Marcelo and Benzema.

These are the player's that have been instrumental to Madrid's success over the last 5 years, and Modric looks especially tired due to his extensive World Cup. Madrid are relying on their older players far too often, and it means that they cannot be rested for the club's most important fixtures.

#2 Reluctance to play younger players

Asensio is often dropped for the biggest games

The club continues to play the same starting 11 of senior players, rather than fielding their promising younger players. Dani Ceballos, Mariano and Marco Asensio all started on the bench during the heavy defeat to Barcelona.

Their route to the first team seems to be permanently blocked despite the struggling form of players like Benzema, Modric and Bale. Asensio in particular looks to be among the best young player's in Europe and at this point, the club should be giving him an extended first team run.

Benzema also continues to struggle in front of goal, and despite Mariano looking extremely promising during cameo's, Benzema still retains his starting place. The club needs to either sign new players or finally let some of their most promising young stars into the starting lineup.

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#1 Cristiano Ronaldo's absence

Ronaldo joined Juventus this summer after 9 years in Madrid

The departure of Cristiano Ronaldo has hit Real Madrid harder than anyone anticipated when the forward left for Juventus. The 33-year-old is among the best player's in the world and Madrid have missed his presence on the field, his huge tally of goals and his aggressive, hard-working style of play.

The club has scored just 14 in 10 league games this season, and the likes of Gareth Bale and Isco have failed to step up in the Portuguese star's absence. Madrid also failed to sign a world class player to replace CR7.

This is even more frustrating when the Madrid team has spent very little over the last five years. The finances are surely available to go after a player such as Eden Hazard, and until an individual like of that stature is signed, the club will continue to feel the huge void caused by Ronaldo's departure.