The wounds from Saturday are still fresh. Real Madrid will not get over that result against their arch rivals Atlético Madrid for some time.
Look, to lose a derby is fine... Sometimes. It can be brushed off, it can be excused, and it can be rectified. But not that one. Real Madrid fans have every right to be fuming at the players and their lack of effort.
Atlético Madrid not only beat Real Madrid at home, but they also completely embarrassed them. We are talking about a team that was top of the table before the game kicked off, Real Madrid, they didn't play like it in the slightest.
And the reason why Real Madrid couldn't even pick up a point on the right is hiding in plain sight.
The real reason why Atlético Madrid humiliated Real Madrid
Real Madrid doesn't have enough experience in their squad right now. Dani Carvajal and Thibaut Courtois were the most experienced players in the starting lineup, both 33, but they could have a limited impact on the Real Madrid squad, especially the attack.
If we look back at seasons gone by, there has been experience in the midfield and the attack. Within only a few seasons, though, the likes of Karim Benzema, Luka Modrić, Toni Kroos and Joselu have all left Real Madrid. Without their experience being replaced, this was always bound to harm Real Madrid.
So, what should Xabi Alonso do now? Does he go into the retirement home and sign every available player past their best years? No, that wouldn't make sense.
Instead, Real Madrid fans must give Xabi Alonso the benefit of the doubt, and expect to be patient while he rebuilds Real Madrid.
We were naive in the early days, thinking that Xabi Alonso had it all in order due to the fearsome start. However, the truth is that Atlético was his first real test, and we hate to admit it, but they have the upper hand with experience, and they proved it.
Xabi Alonso won't right Real Madrid's wrongs in one season; heck, he might not even fix them in two. But if he's the man that Florentino Perez sees as the best manager for the long term, then fans must be patient with his project.
Yes, a mistake was made by not signing leaders and experienced players in the summer transfer window. However, there is always January to right those wrongs.