LaLiga 2018/19: 5 unexpected things to have happened so far

#1 Real Madrid's calamitous start

Is this the same Real Madrid we know?

There's bad, there's worse, and then there's Real Madrid, this season. Ninth in the standings with four defeats and two draws from the first 10 games, they hit rock bottom last weekend when Barcelona thumped them 5-1 in this season's first El Clasico.

Beleaguered manager Julen Lopetegui was put out of his misery soon after, but the problems are far from over. Strike duo Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema have receded into mediocrity after a relatively bright start, while the defence has been atrocious.

Both Sergio Ramos and Rafael Varane are way out of form and midfield stars such as Toni Kroos and Luka Modric have looked like a spent force. This team is severely underperforming in all departments. Looking completely out of depth, lacking organisation, without a clear plan or idea.

And to add more salt to the wounds, the injury list is just piling up. As many as four starters are out injured while Marcelo, who had only returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines two weeks ago, is back in the treatment room again.

Right now, everything is just wrong with this team. It's in a dire need of reinforcements; maybe even a massive squad overhaul and a new stewardship to thrive in. It's a tall order, but Real Madrid have a long and rocky road ahead this season.