Sevilla vs. Real Madrid: Complete Player Ratings for Madrid

Maybe it was similar problems of Manchester United's grey kit against Southampton in 1996 that haunted Real Madrid on Saturday night, as they continued their indifferent start to the league season with a 1-0 loss away to Sevilla.

But aside from the very odd green away kit, Real Madrid were woeful at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. Manager Jose Mourinho afterwards claimed that he changed two players at halftime, but he wanted to change seven. Heavy hitting, certainly, but he needs to get a rise out of his team, and quick.

Tuesday night's Champions League tie with Manchester City may be on the minds of many Real players, but they had little problem in dispatching Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup just prior to the international break.

If anything, this shock loss at Sevilla—a ground where Cristiano Ronaldo alone has bagged seven in his last two—should force Real Madrid to take note of the immediate problems in the squad. It's putting them right that will be the tricky part.

It was always going to be tough to travel away following a set of international fixtures. But perhaps many were expecting Barcelona to be the team to struggle at the Coliseum in Madrid, where Getafe had beaten Real Madrid in Week 2.

However, it is now Barcelona who are sitting atop the La Liga mountain, eight points ahead of Jose Mourinho's team.

Nothing seemed right from the off for Madrid at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. The defence was all over the place, and the team had clearly not left the dressing room, as Sevilla hammered home the only goal after just a minute's worth of play.

Frustrations were also running high, as Gonzalo Higuain could have seen red early in the first half. Sure, he was noticeably wound up by the aggressive nature of Sevilla's game, but the match could have been a lot worse for Madrid had the referee chosen to act on Higuain's kick-out.

Angel Di Maria was at fault for Sevilla's opening. Piotr Trochowski raced into the box from deep and lashed a crossed ball past Iker Casillas. Better defending needed from Di Maria? Perhaps. Or just being aware of what's going on. As mentioned, he clearly hadn't left the dressing room.

There was no surprise as to what would happen on Real Madrid's left flank. No Fabio Coentrao for this game meant Marcelo would fill in at left-back, and Jesus Navas heavily exploited the lack of defensive game from the Brazilian.

Iker Casillas was tested early by a shot from Jesus Navas, which he parried and forced for a corner. Uncharacteristic from the veteran keeper.

It could have been more than just 1-0, but Casillas later proved to be the difference between defeat and humiliation. Pepe and Sergio Ramos also had fairly good games, but Sevilla were taking control of the wide positions far too easily.

You really get the feeling that Real could have done with Michael Essien in this game. He may be a little slower off the mark following his injuries, but his reading of the game is still excellent. Above all, he would have given much better defensive cover against the onrushing Sevilla attackers.

But it was Real Madrid's attack that really didn't look like the all-conquering trio of last season. Well over 100 goals combined for Higuain, Ronaldo and Karim Benzema last term, yet none of them could do what was needed at Sevilla.

Is Ronaldo's sadness affecting the whole team? Who knows? But five goals in four from all three players in the league so far is a trend that needs to be broken.

Ronaldo noticeably wanted to prove his worth in the early stages of the game, testing Andres Palop in the Sevilla goal.

At the other end, however, the home side continued to stream forward. Pepe made a few very good interceptions but the threat couldn't be halted. Certainly not the form of defending champions.

In a game that was must-win for Madrid, even at this early stage of the season, Angel Di Maria's performance was one of real concern. The Argentine was lucky not to be sent off, but it was just another poor showing in a very young season for the midfielder.

Luka Modric was perhaps a shining light, albeit not one to do enough for a win or even a point. Mourinho will surely be thinking about benching Di Maria in favour of Modric for the next set of fixtures.

Iker Casillas 6

Alvaro Arbeloa 5

Pepe 7

Sergio Ramos 6

Marcelo 5

Xabi Alonso 5

Sami Khedira 6

Mesut Ozil 5

Angel Di Maria 4

Cristiano Ronaldo 6

Gonzalo Higuain 6

Substitutes

Jose Callejon 5

Luka Modric 6

Karim Benzema 5