UEFA Champions League 2018-19: 5 things to look out for

#3 Can Real Madrid prove that they are a different side in the Champions League?

Real Madrid has been disappointing this season so far, to say the least, and we don't know who to blame?

It was thought to be Julen Lopetegui's fault that the team was not performing. But even after sacking Lopetegui, Real Madrid's problems remain intact. A few goals against Melilla in Copa del Rey and also against Plzen in UEFA Champions League hid their weaknesses.

But against Eibar, they were exposed again. Abysmal at the defensive end, horrendous at the attacking front and perhaps the worst midfield in Europe at the moment.

Calling the Madrid midfield as the worst in Europe might seem an exaggeration. But it is truly the worst midfield going by their standards. No other teams are showing these many weaknesses in Europe.

Last season too, they were bad in the league. It just wasn't exposed. They finished at 3rd, 13 points behind winners Barcelona. So, they were bad last year too.

But when it came to Champions League, they were a different team and played a different brand of football than in the league.

This season though, they are the same team in the Champions League as well. They might have started well against Roma but then put up horror performances against Plzen and CSKA Moskva.

Varane, Modric, Ramos, Bale and so on, no one has impressed, absolutely no one. A loss will put Real Madrid under tremendous pressure in the UEFA Champions League.

The midfield has to do a lot against Roma as long forward balls would barely threaten tall defenders like Florenzi and Fazio.

Something has to give against Roma. Someone has to step up if not the whole team. But who? Answers are not at one's disposal at the moment.