The first big blow for Lopetegui landed with the visit of Sevilla, when Madrid’s image became scratched and torn as they lost 3-0

Sunday's LaLiga action was brought to a close at the Villamarín, where Real Madrid needed a late Dani Ceballos free-kick to secure maximum points.

AS editor Alfredo Relaño analyses Real Madrid's thumping 5-0 win over Viktoria Plzen and the changes wrought by new coach Solari.

Alfredo Relaño examines Toni Kroos' recent declarations, in which he reminded Julen Lopetegui that he is a very different kind of player to Casemiro.

The game began with a colossal error from Toni Kroos, who sloppily knocked a ball back towards his own area

The most fervent Atlético-supporting friend I have sent me a text straight after the derby. "With VAR or without it, life stays the same," he wrote.

After the all-round smiles of the Roma game, spirits were dampened with a Madrid performance that faded and looked more likely to end in a draw as the clock ticked down.