Real Madridlack consistency this season, something that was most recently highlighted in their Supercopa de Espana semi-final loss to Athletic Club.
But looking towards the future, Real Madrid have another problem. Their old guard have halted the development of their young players, and Zinedine Zidane has persisted with his tried and trusted players at the expense of those looking to break into the team.
This January, that problem has been highlighted with the departure of Luka Jovic and the news that Martin Odegaard wants to follow the Serb out of Valdebebas.
Real Madrid have prioritised signing young for a while now, planning ahead to the time when they have to replace their old guard, but that next step looks further away than ever now, and Zidane only trusts the players who were central to his success in his first spell at the club.
The Frenchman isn't addressing the generational change that the club have been calling for, and instead he is squeezing everything he possibly can out of the squad's older players. Even those entering the final months of their contracts, Zidane trusts and wants to keep hold of, namely Luka Modric, Sergio Ramos and Lucas Vazquez.
Most of the signings who should now be regulars in the XI are being overshadowed by Ramos, Dani Carvajal, Toni Kroos, Karim Benzema and the rest.
Those upstairs at the club don't understand Zidane's approach, and they think that the new players have lacked opportunities to make a name for themselves.
Only Thibaut Courtois and Ferland Mendy have managed to establish themselves in recent seasons, while Fede Valverde, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes have come and gone from the XI.
The rest have been sold on, loaned, or remain on the outskirts of the team, as is the case with Odegaard, Eder Militao and Alvaro Odriozola.
Odegaard's situation is just the latest along these lines, and the distance between the old guard and new generation is wider than ever in recent weeks.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com