Real Madrid are pathetic without Ronaldo. I guess it is the football Gods playing their part, you cant have everything nice in life forever. You must experience sadness at some point. The same as Man Utd after Ferguson retires misery.
Yes it looks unbelievable that last season was they were 3rd in the table are now placed lower than Sevilla and Deportivo but it is just one season and I don't think all hope is lost with it, they still need their time to adjust because their star player is gone and I don't think even with a good team right now they are playing at their 100%. Real Madrid is a rich club both financially and their history so even if they are fifth in the table right now I don't think it says that it is over for Madrid.