I have also observed that Real Madrid performance in Champions League is usually different from their La Liga matches maybe this should be due to the Anceloti influence who is gifted in the Champions League and the only coach to have won the champions league five times. This year they are still a big threat for any team as they will be playing to defend the title. They might have started badly with their La Liga but they have a fast way of putting their house in order to confront any opponent. Most definitely they will regain the consistency they are known for and will give Barcelona a big fight as usual.
La Liga and the Champions League will always be important for Ancelotti. But the Champions League always has great prestige for Madrid. They always perform great in the Champions League. Ancelotti always has a strong strategy for matches against strong teams in the Champions League. Madrid has a strength that no other team has in the Champions League. It is their champion mentality that I think they maintain in every Champions League match they play. It is like saying that they are the champions.
Champions League matches are always different, every club will try to impress because it's the most prestigious competition, while for LaLiga it's important but they can catch up when they're behind. I believe Real Madrid can get back on level terms later in LaLiga.
I've never doubted Real Madrid in the Champions League and it's true that they have a winning mentality that other clubs don't have, the players carry a bit more ambition in UCL matches even when last season they were a goal down to Bayern Munich but Real Madrid could turn it around to win.
La Liga is also important, but you are right, with so many games to play, they can catch up and they have proven that in previous seasons.
Talking about UCL, as I recall, when the trio of Ronaldo, Benzema and Bale were still playing for Real Madrid, they were behind on aggregate in UCL several times in the last few seasons when it was still using the old format, but Real Madrid were always able to turn things around and advance to the next round, there were many crucial moments shown there. This proves that Real Madrid's mentality is beyond doubt, another thing is that if Real Madrid reaches the final, they never lose. "The UCL trophy as if to be made only for Los Blancos", although the words I wrote are exaggerated, but I feel that, is there anyone here who feels the same way?