Three defeats—against Lille, Milan, and Liverpool —mark Real Madrid's first experience in the new Champions League. Victimized by their irregular start to the season, their final reaction with victories away at Atalanta banished ghosts, and the thrashing of Salzburg left them with a slim chance of securing direct access to the round of 16.

After falling 7 points behind Barcelona in October, and with glaring holes in their game, you could be forgiven for having your doubts about their chances in La Liga. However the situation has been

Holders Real Madrid made sure they would be seeded for Friday's Champions League playoff draw by beating Stade Brest 3-0 away in the last round of the first phase on Wednesday.