Former Real Madrid GM Jorge Valdano could see their heavy defeat to Sevilla coming.

Valdano believes that the warning signs were already there against Espanyol, while also suggesting that The Best awards gala just two days prior was not ideal either.

"In the second half of the game against Espanyol, I saw a tired Real Madrid team as [Julen] Lopetegui brought the team back to contest the result," he told Radio MARCA.

"The Best awards ceremony is one of the distractions of modern football.

"That didn't favour their rest and recovery and possibly their preparation for the game.

"Something must explain the very cold way in which Real Madrid came out for the game, as Sevilla had a chance after 15 seconds before an exhibition where they found space on all sides."