Real Madrid were playing well till now, when they gave in their worst performance of the season by some distance, losing to Atlético Madrid 5-2 in a devastating derby-day loss.
Real Madrid have won their other seven games of the season so far, so it has not all been terrible, but the loss showed easily which players need to turn it up a notch in October.
Real Madrid need everyone in their squad to show up on a more consistent basis, and these three players, even though they have had good moments this season, need to show up more than they currently are.
3 Real Madrid players who seriously need to up their game in October
Fede Valverde
The first name on everyone's lips would be Fede Valverde. I am actually not of the same opinion as the general consensus about Valverde, that he has been horrible all season and he needs to improve every single thing.
I am not that extreme, but there is some level of improvement needed after that performance against Atlético Madrid. He has never looked as shy and quiet as he did against Real Madrid's city rivals, and he simply needs to show more personality and intensity in the coming weeks.
Real Madrid have a really tough October coming their way, and if their best midfielder is not performing up to the mark, they will have to go through a lot of trouble.
It is true that Valverde does not have to do and contribute to every single thing these days. He has a set role and he needs to do what he is good at.
However, we all know Valverde is not a passive player, so there was definitely something wrong about the way he played on Saturday, and that needs to improve sooner rather than later.
Jude Bellingham
Bellingham has not long been in the squad, and it is honestly harsh to even put him on this list. However, he will go there solely because he needs to improve his fitness and physical levels before he faces a big team next.
He should not have played against Atlético. At least, he should not have started, even though that profile was needed, and that is something Alonso got wrong.
I don't think there is anything wrong with the way Bellingham plays. He is a huge part of this team, and will always be that way. However, he has also just returned from injury, and he will need to improve drastically so that Real Madrid are able to compete with the best teams in the world.
If Bellingham plays well, the team usually plays well, so it will work out for them in that regard, but the sooner that happens, the better and more comfortable it is for Real Madrid.
Vinícius Jr
Now, this is tough. There have not been that many players who have not performed up to the mark this season. Against Atlético Madrid, there were a fair few, but I already named the two that needed to be named.
Vinícius Jr was good against Atlético, and he was good against Levante, but Real Madrid need more from him. Real Madrid need to see him be the best player in the world, that he was two years ago. They simply need that from him in the coming weeks, and that is exactly why he is on this list.
That is not to say he has not been good - Vini has been much, much better in these two games - but he needs to be even better to raise Real Madrid's floor and ceiling.
Whatever output we have seen from Vinícius Jr has come in bursts and spurts. We need to see that on a consistent basis, and once that happens, Real Madrid fans will truly breathe a sigh of relief.