The numbers which illustrate the extent of Real Madrid's crisis Real Madrid Defence of LaLiga title has faltered

Following the 1-0 defeat to Villarreal at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid's domestic campaign slipped to a new low and there are now numbers which fully illustrate the extent of the crisis that has enveloped the club.

Whilst Zinedine Zidane's team have a game in hand, by the time Sunday evening concludes, they could be 19 points behind Ernesto Valverde's Barcelona.

Should the Blaugrana emerge victorious from their clash with Real Sociedad, 19 points will officially be the biggest points difference that Los Blancos have ever suffered in the first half of a campaign.

The previous record was as recently as the 2012/13 season when Jose Mourinho's team slipped to a position where they were 18 points behind the Catalan giants.

In the first half of the domestic season, the European champions have dropped a grand total of 22 points; five draws and four defeats.

If we look at the 2016/17 season, Los Blancos only dropped 21 points over the course of the entire season.

At this rate, Zidane's charges are on for an even more dramatic downturn in results unless something changes quickly.

Not even winning every single remaining LaLiga match could see the club mathematically equal the tally of 93 points which saw them lift the trophy last term.

Depending on the outcome of Sunday's matches, it's perfectly conceivable that the defending champions will finish the first half of the season closer to the bottom of the table than to the top.

When you consider the quality within the team that is bordering on the ridiculous.

Selling Alvaro Morata and James Rodriguez was not necessarily a mistake per se, however, failing to replace them sufficiently has proven to be a sizable one.

The goals have dried up and this is seen by the fact Real Madrid haven't had two consecutive home matches without scoring since 2006/07.

Not since 2008/09 have the Spanish giants lost two successive home league matches - those came against Barcelona and Real Mallorca.

It came as no surprise when Rafael Benitez was dismissed as the club's coach in the 2015/16 season, yet his tally of points (37) from the first half of a season was five greater than the total Zidane has won this year.

This isn't a suggestion that the former Juventus midfielder's job should be under threat, however it's worth considering coaches have been dismissed for better statistical performances.

One of the more concerning aspects of Real's slump is that it has allowed teams to make history at their expense.

Villarreal's victory on Saturday was their first ever at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, and Real Betis' win broke their 19 year drought after their own 1-0 victory earlier in the season.

In Real Madrid's very first visit to Girona, the hosts emerged victorious, and Fuenlabrada and Numancia were both eliminated in the Copa del Rey but secured draws in the famous stadium that will live long in the memory of their fans.