Real Sociedad, Real Madrid, Sevilla or Atletico Madrid could all sit top of La Liga on Monday but none of them yet look much like champions.
Real Madrid's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti talks to German midfielder Toni Kroos. Madrid host Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.
That is Real Madrid and their victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Wednesday was so laced with lethargy and errors, the home crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu whistled like they were witnessing a defeat. Despite some brilliant performances from the 21-year-old Vinicius Junior, Madrid look less threatening going forward, increasingly stodgy in midfield and still fragile at the back. Casemiro, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos already look tired.
In four of those, Diego Simeone’s side have conceded two goals or more, raising questions about their traditionally stubborn defence.