I think that the main problem for Real last season was their defense, because their attack played quite well. Even when Mbappé or Vinícius were injured for some time, they replaced each other and the attack performed quite well. Last season there were very big problems because they lost two key defenders, Carvajal and Militao were missing, and they conceded too many goals. If you remember the matches against Barcelona, it was Real’s defense that let them down.
People keep failing to see that the defence was not the only issue, but the midfield was a problem too. The midfield couldn't keep control of the ball when they won it back. Also, the pressing of the team last season was very poor. They allow the opponents to get so comfortable with the ball. If you play like that, you'll struggle against good teams.
If you watch Madrid this season, they press very well. They don't allow the opponents to get comfortable on the ball, and that is why its difficult for teams to create chances against them. Now Madrid pins the opponent in their own half and presses them in numbers to win back the ball immediately they lose. If they continue and improve on that while being able to keep the ball comfortably, they might have a good season.
Talking about Madrid's performance last season. For me I think it was just a downtime for them as a team and individual performance. Though some of them were performing, but I see it as it was there bad season. Even in Laliga, Barca was on them the whole season.
Generally, there are times when a team under performs, while sometimes too, a team becomes at its best. Just like Manchester city in England, they are still struggling even in this new season, two straight loss. So for Madrid, it think it was a bad season for them. Hopefully, they are retracing Thier steps and maybe may get it right and continue strong.
Real Madrid did not perform very well last season but that does not mean that they did not try their best they played very well but was unable to win any trophy even though Barcelona was winning them in every match that they played last season, for me the cause of that was because they did not play in unity and there was a little division in them, and since the former coach already had the knowledge that the management will sack him there was no points doing well anymore, I believe this season will be one of the best season for Real Madrid let them be consistent in winning their matches, they are already topping the la Liga table because of the Lost from Barca in their match, Real Madrid has good players in fact world class players they need to put in their best and make sure that they win the la Liga title this season as for winning the champions League this season I really don't think it's possible.