This gum can't be stretched any more Real Madrid The opinion of Miguel Angel Garcia

The idea that Real Madrid can win a trophy this season is farcical. You don't need to be a fortune teller to know that they are far behind the likes of Manchester City, Juventus, Liverpool and Barcelona, to name just four. A team that failed miserably last year has opted to retain many of the same players, and the change that Zinedine Zidane said was coming after returning as head coach has not been evident. Despite the signings, of which Eden Hazard is the only one who will clearly start from day one, it is clear that Madrid are playing the same as they were at the end of last season.

If you look at the three starting line-ups from the three pre-season matches thus far, it's clear that nothing has changed. There has been no revolution. The defence remains the same; the midfield, aside from Casemiro's absence after the Copa America, is as well; and Hazard is the only fresh face in attack. Madrid are repeating the same shortcomings that they did in the past: a split team, without control in midfield, with a defence that gets nervous whenever the opposition attack, with a goalkeeper who underwhelms, and without an out-and-out No.9.

It's surprising how reluctant Florentino Perez has been to create a big splash with a new signing, while Zidane - who has earned the right to do as he pleases - continues to make strange decisions which never cease to amaze.

The paradox of all this is that Atletico Madrid, their eternal rival, have done them a favour. They have given Madrid the opportunity to realise that they are going to go nowhere as they are currently constructed; this gum can be stretched no more. There is time to rethink the situation, to make painful sales from the heart but ones which are necessary in order to return to the top of European football. There is a need to inspire a fanbase that only see darkness at present.

The ball is in Florentino's court. And Zidane's, too.