Before the start of the 2018-19 season, Real Madrid may have lost two of their most important assets: all-time top goalscorer and talisman Cristiano Ronaldo and manager Zinedine Zidane, who has delivered an incredible three consecutive Champions League titles.

In light of this, many have assumed Los Blancos will have a less successful season—an opinion supported by a disappointing draw at Athletic Club over the weekend.

However, write Real Madrid off at your peril. The Spanish giants remain very serious contenders in domestic and European competition—and it’s possible that they may be even better int he post-Ronaldo era.