El Clasico: 5 things we learnt from Barcelona's 5-1 win over Real Madrid

#2 No plans for the time post-Ronaldo

Perhaps not getting Hazard from Chelsea, despite him being warm to a move, has cost Los Blancos. Ronaldo scored the winner for Juve vs. Empoli, and they needed his touch vs. the old enemy at the Nou Camp.

Losing Ronaldo, a club legend and one of the best players who has ever lived, and who average 40-50 goals a season for them, surely should have led to a more proactive solution.

Bale and Benzema are top quality footballers, but more is needed to compensate for Ronaldo's absence. They both had chances to score today but ultimately were not clinical to anywhere near the degree required.

All empires rise and fall, and maybe this is the natural end of the current cycle. And not replacing Ronaldo's output and influence has precipitated the decline.

This season may have to be written off in some part, and Ronaldo may even taste Champions League glory with Juventus.