体坛英语新闻：Big 3 below their best as Spain reaches international break

MADRID, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- The top sides in Spain reach the October international break with plenty of questions to be asked about their form and perspectives for the season.

Sunday's Madrid derby between Atletico and Real Madrid made it clear that both sides have work to do: Real Madrid are struggling to score goals, while Atletico seem to lack the intensity of previous campaigns.

Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez has come in for criticism for adopting an overly conservative approach and it could well be that his decision to sit back and defend a 1-0 lead against Atletico allowed Diego Simeone's men to score a late equalizer.

The draw comes on the back of a 0-0 at home to Malaga and although Madrid scored 6 against Espanyol and 5 against a newly promoted Betis, the feeling is that goals will not flow as freely this campaign.

Part of the reason for that is that Cristiano Ronaldo is struggling: he may have scored five against Espanyol, but that is the only league game out of seven in which he has found the opposition net. Meanwhile Tony Kroos also looks short of fitness and his creativity is being missed, while James Rodriguez is injured.

The good news for Real Madrid is that their defense does look more solid, but with questions being asked about Benitez's tactics and the fans notoriously demanding of attacking football, how long will it be before the first whistles are heard in the Stadium?

Atletico were big spenders over the summer, with players such as Jackson Martinez and Luciano Vietto arriving at the Vicente Calderon.

So far Martinez has failed to shine, while former Villarreal forward, Vietto has also lacked protaganism, despite leveling against Real Madrid.

Meanwhile the defense continues to look solid, although the midfield once again lacks creativity, despite Oliver Torres returning from Porto. There is also a feeling that after nearly four years in charge, the highly demanding Simeone is in danger of provoking burnout in some of his players.

If things are not coming up roses in Madrid, the problems in Barcelona seem even deeper. Last season's treble winners have already lost two league games, as well as suffering humiliation in the Spanish Supercup.

Luis Enrique's team have struggled in defense with several players, such as Dani Alves and Jeremy Mathieu below their best and Ter Stegen questioned in goal. Last season's rock solid back line suddenly looks open and vulnerable, but all of the blame can't be placed on the back line.

Saturday saw Barca lose a frantic end-to-end game 2-1 in Seville and the phrase 'end-to-end' says it all. Barca simply lack the midfield control that has seen them dominate European football in recent years. Xavi Hernandez has gone, Iniesta is injured and Busquets can't do it on his own.

The loss of Leo Messi with a knee injury is obviously a handicap, but Barca's weaknesses were clear to see even before his knee injury. The compensation for Luis Enrique is that last season saw them start badly, only to recover in the New Year and win the treble.

But its not all bad news for football fans, with the big-three below their best, other sides are taking their chances, so for the moment, lets take our hats off to league leaders Villarreal an exciting Celta Vigo and tiny Eibar, who have once again started the season punching well above their weight.