5 Big clubs of European Football who are struggling this season

#4 Real Madrid

AS Roma v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Group G

Any club in the world will struggle to come to terms with one of the best players in the world leaving. When the manager who has won then three back to back Champions League titles leaves as well, things become a lot harder.

Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid in the summer to join Juventus, and with Zidane departing as well, everyone expected Real to have trouble to cope with his departure. The fact that Real Madrid did not sign a like for like replacement for Ronaldo did raise a lot of eyebrows, yet, under new coach Julen Lopetegui, the Spanish Giants made a strong start to the season, winning 4 of the first 5 games in LaLiga.

However, after the defeat to Sevilla in the 6th game in LaLiga, Madrid lost 3 of the next 4 games, including a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Barcelona at the Nou Camp, which cost Lopetegui his job.

Santiago Solari took over the mantle after his departure, and even though he started with three wins in his first three games, Real lost again last weekend, a 3-0 loss away to SD Eibar.

As of now, Real Madrid are 6th in the LaLiga table, with 20 points after 13 games, even though they are just 6th points adrift of Sevilla at the top of the table. They have scored 20 goals, but conceded 19 already, which is the crux of all their troubles. On the other hand, in the Champions League, Real Madrid have been firing on all cylinders.

Apart from the one solitary defeat to CSKA Moscow away from home, the LaLiga side have won 4 of their 5 games. They have scored 12 goals, conceded just 2 and have already qualified for the knockout stages. With one-third of the season already over, it remains to be seen whether the LaLiga side can replicate their Champions League form in LaLiga.