Real Madrid fans pessimistic about what lies ahead Real Madrid A lot of negativity surrounds pre-season

This 2019/20 pre-season will forever be remembered as the one in which Atletico Madrid put seven past Real Madrid in New Jersey above anything else, even more so than for the serious injury suffered by Marco Asensio days earlier against Arsenal.

More than just a one-off embarrassment, the loss against the Rojiblancos reopened the wounds of a year ago when Atletico beat Los Blancos to the European Super Cup under Julen Lopetegui's watch.

However, back then, Madrid were well fed with success and fresh off the back of another Champions League success. This summer, they're desperate to bounce back from a humiliating campaign, and there's little room for forgiveness once the season gets underway next month.

Only three games have been played this summer but with two defeats and a draw in those, things still appear negative for Real Madrid and dark clouds continue to loom over the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. The project, beyond Eden Hazard, is still lacking and none of the other arrivals can even be sure of their place in the starting eleven next season.

A MARCA poll has shown that readers are holding everyone accountable. Neither Zinedine Zidane, Florentino Perez nor the players are escaping blame. A lot of supporters believe the club have approached the market too timidly and that the signing of one single superstar is insufficient.

Four of five surveyed think they haven't been adequately reinforced, with most of the deficiencies deemed to be in midfield. In the United States, Madrid have had just three first-team players in the position in Isco, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.

The youngsters are given a pass by fans, but the new arrivals haven't gone without blame either as supporters remain unconvinced that they've done enough to prove they can play from the start.

Paul Pogba's future remains unknown, but the vast majority of those who voted doubt that his signing alone would be enough to solve the problems.

The old guard

Nacho, Marcelo, Kroos, Lucas Vazquez, Isco, Karim Benzema and even Modric have been pointed at by a number of fans, while Dani Carvajal, Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos and Casemiro have been spared.

Obviously, Zidane has been the subject of criticism too.

The season is yet to start, but Madrid already appear to be rowing against the current.