Benitez suffered his first defeat since taking over as coach of Los Blancos in the summer and his side's dismal display at Sevilla begs the question: has he really improved them?
The honeymoon period is over.

If Rafa Benitez thought things had been difficult up until now, he is in for a shock after his Real Madrid side suffered its first defeat in his tenure, losing 3-2 at Sevilla on Sunday. And despite the good work so far, is there really any evidence to suggest this team is better than the one coached by Carlo Ancelotti?

In 14 games prior to this one, Madrid had conceded only four goals. But the warning signs were there for all to see in a fortuitous 1-0 win at home to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday. The trip to Sevilla would present another tough test, but this was one they were unable to pass.

Things started well. Madrid looked energetic enough and took the lead through Sergio Ramos' acrobatic effort from a corner. It was a superb strike but it came at a price: the Madrid captain was injured in the process and couldn't continue.

Now missing its defensive lynchpin and also its in-form goalkeeper Keylor Navas, Real looked very vulnerable all of a sudden and Ciro Immobile leveled from a tight angle after Real's defenders allowed the ball to bounce in the six-yard box from a corner. Benitez will not have been amused.