Real Madrid added Kylian Mbappe to an already ferocious starting XI, including Rodrygo Goes, Vinicius Jr, and Jude Bellingham. However, ex-boss Carlo Ancelotti could not gel that frontline into a cohesive force.
Los Blancos also suffered due to having a decimated defence plagued by multiple injuries and a midfield that struggled to keep the ball for long spells without metronome Toni Kroos.
Real Madrid had many weaknesses, but arch-rivals Barcelona were flying. They enjoyed a sensational campaign under new boss Hansi Flick, culminating in the Catalans recovering the La Liga title.
Besides reclaiming the crown, Barca laid down a marker and made an example of Madrid during their La Liga meetings, most notably in their clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Barcelona hammered Real Madrid 4-0 in a match almost reminiscent of the 6-2 mauling on the same ground during the first season under Pep Guardiola.
Just like that match 16 years ago announced a new sheriff in town to lead the dynasty (Lionel Messi), Lamine Yamal announced and proved himself one to watch for the next few years in that 4-0 drubbing.
Meanwhile, his teammate Raphinha reached a new level this season, while Robert Lewandowski is still oozing class, and the midfield looks impeccable. They will take some stopping next term.
Real Madrid must undertake the draconian task of wrestling this La Liga title off a confident Barcelona side that can dominate for years, and it is clear Los Blancos boss Xabi Alonso has his work cut out.
However, fans will buy Real Madrid tickets from Seatsnet.com hoping that Los Blancos recapture their groove under a new manager ahead of the new season.
Transfer dealings
The Real Madrid roster was crying out for reinforcement in several areas, especially in defence, where they lacked quality, reliable full-backs.
They added England international right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer following his acrimonious Liverpool exit.
They also brought Benfica left-back Alvaro Carreras to plug the left-back area and the highly-rated Dean Huijsen to strengthen the centre-back position as they bid to bounce back next term.
However, despite moving quickly in the transfer market to bolster the squad, the team has not improved much. Look at their FIFA Club World Cup showings!
Their semi-final exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain displayed their lack of cohesion and abominable pressing structure, with the defence crumbling under the pressure.
Barcelona may have only added goalkeeper Joan Garcia this summer. Nevertheless, the strength of this squad is remarkable, and they will likely remain favourites to lift the title again ahead of next season.
If they can add a lethal winger like Marcus Rashford or Luis Diaz to their ranks this summer, they should be stronger for the journey ahead.
The Catalans are the team to beat, and you can watch their fight to ward off La Liga rivals by buying Barcelona tickets from Seatsnet.com and supporting them from the best seats in the house.
Can Real Madrid take the title back?
Unfortunately, Real Madrid will have to do more than add a few new names to the squad to snatch the title back.
Los Blancos need a new, efficient tactical identity that caters to their star-studded forward line.
Vinicius and Mbappe are not the heaviest pressers, but surely a manager like Alonso can design a structure that covers their weakness.
The new scheme must also help them to control the game and circulate the ball better. This team was notably poor in possession against PSG. The spaces between the lines were dreadful.
Barcelona capitalised on those structural issues during their La Liga face-off earlier this season, with Pedri, Fermin Lopez, and Marc Casado seizing possession and giving Madrid the run-around.
It was the same case in the second leg, even though a talismanic display from Mbappe made the scoreline closer. Eventually, Barcelona found their way past Real Madrid, with the gulf in class still clear.
Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde are world-class midfielders in their own right, but do not bring the kind of control that the Madrid engine room sorely lacks.
Alonso needs to find a way to use the pair more dynamically in possession.
The Spanish tactician experimented with Arda Guler in midfield, and it could be an option for Los Blancos this season. They need more from those central areas if they want to go toe-to-toe with Barca.
While Madrid is a top team, they must galvanise themselves to knock Barca off their perch, and so far, they have not done much to show they can take the Catalans down.
What must they do?
Real Madrid could still use another central defender to give Alonso more options ahead of next season.
Against PSG, Raul Asencio and Antonio Rudiger were guilty of dreadful giveaways. The kind that can derail their La Liga ambitions next term.
Another centre-back should be atop the transfer wishlist as they look to shore up that leaking, uncomposed rearguard.
Asencio should be at the bottom of the pecking order alongside the oft-injured David Alaba, with Eder Militao, Huijsen, and a new defender taking the reins alongside Rudiger.
Real Madrid also need a quality midfielder to add poise, guile, and control to that engine room. It is a must this summer, or they could risk hunting Barca in vain.
There have been talks of interest in Vitinha, Enzo Fernandez, and Angelo Stiller. They all fit the bill, but nothing has materialised from sniffing around these players.
If Real Madrid are serious about reclaiming their crown, the dithering in midfield recruitment must end. Time is running out, and the need for a controller/facilitator is glaring.
Barcelona’s ability to control games is a blueprint Madrid must follow, not just with flashy attackers, but with players who dictate tempo and tighten transitions.
Alonso must push the board to act fast, or risk entering the season with the same flaws that derailed their last campaign.
Because right now, for all the glitter of Mbappe and Bellingham, the substance still lies firmly with Barcelona.
