Real Madrid are so far off Barcelona right now that they're closer to relegation than they are their fierce La Liga rivals. And to make matters worse one of Barca's stars had rubbed salt into the wound.
Last season Real Madrid won La Liga for the first time in five years and became the first team to defend the Champions League, winning the competition for the 12th time in the process.
Despite losing some top talent in the summer, including Pepe, Alvaro Morata and James Rodriguez, it was still expected that Zinedine Zidane's side would still be too strong for the competition, especially when they easily won the UEFA Super Cup and Spanish Supercopa.
However instead they have really struggled both home and abroad and their loss on Saturday to Villereal combined with Barca's come from behind win over Real Sociedad means they are 19 points behind the Catalans but only 16 points from 18th place.
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Of course no one from the Camp Nou would want to rub it in would they...
Speaking to Marca left back Jordi Alba added fuel to the flames of Real's form by suggesting Ernesto Valverde's side would be under a lot of pressure if the roles were reversed:
"If Madrid led us by 19 points, in Barcelona they would kill us. Nineteen is a huge difference.
"We must not forget that Real Madrid will fight until the end."
Speaking about why Barca have been able to be so successful so far this season the former Valencia player added, "The secret is the team. Everyone is involved in defending, pressing and winning the ball back, although it's true that the differences are made by the strikers."
That in itself could be seen as a double dig from Alba. Firstly the suggestion that Los Blancos aren't playing as a team and then the fact that Real's forwards are yet to find form this season.
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Cristiano Ronaldo has only bagged four this season in La Liga which actually makes him the club's top goal scorer in the league with three other players, Karim Benzema has only managed two goals.
Barca seem certain for the title and Zidane's job is now under pressure unless he can win the Champions League.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Barcelona, Clasico, Spain, Real Madrid, La Liga