Results seem to indicate that there is not more to Real Madrid than Cristiano Ronaldo.

So far this season, the Spanish Giants have had three tests: a match against Manuel Pellegrini’s former club Villarreal, a clash in Andalusia against Sevilla, and a gigantesque battle against AC Milan in the Champions League lately.

Out of these three games, Real Madrid have won one and lost two.

Against Villarreal at the El Madrigal, Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal in the opening minute considerably raised the game for Real Madrid. Kaka then rounded up the score line with a penalty in the second half to seal Los Blancos’ victory against the Yellow Submarines.

Unfortunately for Cristiano Ronaldo, the match against Villarreal has been his first and last important game for Real Madrid. The talented Portuguese play-maker then sustained an ankle injury against Marseille in the Champions League, which has sidelined him for up to a month.

So the Spanish Giants had to cop without the services of Cristiano Ronaldo against Sevilla in the league and AC Milan in Europe.

Coincidently, Real Madrid lost both of these games. Dangerous mistakes in defense and inefficiency inside the 18-yard box have cost Real Madrid dearly.

Although the referee was to blame in Wednesday night’s 3-2 defeat at home to AC Milan, some Madrid players could be singled out for failing to assume their responsibilities – mentally as well as physically.

There is a sense that Cristiano Ronaldo carries a big part of Real Madrid’s strength in depth and psychology.

In seven words, one could say it: Madrid flop in big games without Ronaldo

Well, such a conviction could be completely false in reality.

However, as things stand now, the pressure is on Manuel Pellegrini and his men to put value on the hundred millions of pounds that Florentino Perez used to create this new-look squad.