Real Madrid were beaten for the first time in LaLiga Santander this season at Son Moix on Saturday night.
Lago Junior's early winner meant that Real Mallorca inflicted a painful defeat on a Real Madrid team plagued by injuries.
Luka Modric, Eden Hazard, Toni Kroos and Gareth Bale all missed out, while Dani Carvajal and Raphael Varane were rested.
However, injuries weren't the only reason why Los Blancos suffered a defeat to a newly-promoted side.
1. No natural central midfielders
This problem stems from Real Madrid's inability to bring in a central midfielder during the summer transfer window. In the absence of Modric and Kroos, Casemiro was isolated in midfield and wasn't given much protection by James Rodriguez and Isco.
2. The Jovic-Benzema partnership doesn't work
Zidane put out an extremely attacking line-up which consisted of Luka Jovic and Karim Benzema playing up front together. Benzema did very little throughout the match while Jovic did even less. The pair didn't link up well and it proved Zidane wrong to use them together.
3. No attacking threat from James
With Modric and Kroos missing, James was tasked with the job of taking the ball off Casemiro and the Real Madrid defence. His deep positions meant that he couldn't do what he does best - arriving in the final third and making an impact. This wasn't all his own fault, however, with Zidane taking some of the blame for his tactical set-up.
4. Weak defence
Mallorca scored with their only shot on target when, without the help of any midfielders, Alvaro Odriozola lost track of Lago Junior. For a team that aspires to win trophies, it was far too easy for Junior to find the net.
5. Marcelo provides little going forward
Everyone knows that the Brazilian isn't entirely convincing defensively but, when he doesn't offer his renowned attacking threat, there are question marks over whether he should be in the team at all.
ishti
1272
Five reasons:- 1:- there was no CR7 2:- they didn't replace him 3:- wait.. he can't be replaced. 4:- do I have to give another reason? 5:- it's of no use.
Upwardly2015
535
Of all the 5 reasons listed, I haven't seen the biggest problem mentioned. The goal keeper, Courtois didn't try. The only shot powered shot from Mallorca was a goal. That's to tell you that he performed poorly.
Pocho1
491
Poor goal tending, no one created any real chances and Hazzard has not produced what Madrid hoped of him. Madrid has the quality players to be successful but all the peices have not come together yet.
kingculture19
402
people must remember that Thibault courtois didn't come to real Madrid to be a goalkeeper he came because his kids was too far from England[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Dosdempsz
391
Madrid Even with team C had no reason to loose the Mallorca. Those reasons are all sh**t. Oohh my Madrid, I cry anytime I see them lose a match. Just sent Courtois to the academy please.
Remcklmprt
361
zindan have to take his job serious and the coaching staffs I don't know why all our players go for injuries, pls Madrid boards should look into this matter properly bcos our coaching staffs more especially injury coaching is not doing his job well
yuaabcikry
334
some should be sick in mind to argue real lost coz there was no Ronaldo ...its now two seasons and a team cannot point that that's being bulshit I can only expect that fro ronaldo fan boys not football fans ..everyone knows Ronaldo spent 9 years at real and won 2 la liga which simply means with or without him real struggled
okarl
330
the reason is buying players from this club
cupcknrsu
298
Buying players from Chelsea is a curse. Real and Atletico in the same boat. Buying players from Chelsea= no title
Jsonpohlong
264
Real Madrid was defeated because of the presence of viniceos and jovic why real Madrid benched Rodryco give a chance to Rodryco than viniceos. Viniceos is a player who play alone and never score a goal he just waste the ball.
Kabadmpry
228
They lost because courtois is no longer a good goal keeper. No more good strikers at all
sohklmstu
186
look i dont know from where to start with ... but to blame zidane is not good . If you watch madrid then benzema modric kross marcelo are the players who are becoming old . And the main reason of worry is that rodrygo vinicius brahim is too young to score goals , people are really expecting to much from them . Then the next lot pf players are isco asensio james lucas bale who either were injured or became mediocre playersand havent done anything big . And the new comers like mendy hazard jovic needs time to settle, its not easy to play in santiago . But either blaming zidane , we should blame perez who sold ronaldo amd navas .And buy a keeper like thibaut. We need world class players who already performing well .. and let the young generation given at least 15 to 20 minutes in atleast 1 out of 2 games . We know perez already told that we are working on building team but this process should be done with some pace so that our domestic season wont face any problem. i think this side is good to bring some goals.......and bring odegaard at left ..
didadinors
182
Exactly as I had mentioned in a previous page even without even watching the match: 4-4-2 with Isco and Rodriguez two talents yes, but who are not renowned for their marking, it's only natural the midfield should suffer!!!
Remcklmprt
105
reasons is Madrid don't have good attacker, Madrid don't have good goalkeeper, give Rodrigo a chance and bench vinius is performance is bad he can't score or even gives a target and poor defence