Real Madrid's poor form: What's wrong at the Bernabeu outfit?

#6 A combination of factors

It could all of the aforementioned factors causing this slump. But is it really a slump? Real Madrid are only a few points behind Sevilla and have played seven games. So it is really a crisis?

Though let's be frank - the standards at Real Madrid are astronomically high. Many managers, who have attained great things, have been surplus to needs if things have gone bad for whatever reason.

Powerful players, as rumoured with Ronaldo and Ramos, were instrumental in forcing out Mourinho. And despite his current woes at Manchester United, he is no managerial dud.

Real Madrid, given its immense and illustrious history, has a right to its high standards, and it could just be the innate culture of the club coming to the fore. Lopetegui won't be the first manager to be under pressure for a poor start at the club, nor will he be the last.

It could blow over if Los Blancos are top of the table by Christmas (or Navidad) - or defeat the enemy in El Clasico very soon.

However, for now, it's too early to say whether it's a crisis or not.

It could also be the fact that, given the ageing squad, and the departure of a legend in Ronaldo, it seems like a seminal time in the club's history.

The impending Santiago Bernabeu shows rebuilding both on and off for Los Blancos - and it happens to all clubs, including the biggest and grandest of them all.