Real Madrid were eliminated from the Champions League, but they are still in the race for La Liga even if it is not in their own hands. The problem is that at Stamford Bridge they came across something completely unexpected - with Ramos and Hazard starting the match, both lacked rhythm and looked lost on the pitch. The doubt remains - continue playing them or return to what was working well before Wednesday night?
After what was seen at Stamford Bridge, there is no doubt that Sergio Ramos and Eden Hazard started the match due to their status and their importance to the team. They unbalanced a side that had been working well, and now it remains to be seen whether they will feature in the upcoming La Liga matches in Madrid's fight for the title.
They were the stains on Madrid's performance in London. Ramos returned after months out through injury and Hazard made his first start since his comeback. Zidane put names before form, and he paid for it.
Ramos was lost in the match, slow and unsettled to compete in a game of such importance. Hazard, without committing any serious errors, didn't make the difference in the match as had been hoped. In addition, Zidane put Vinicius on the other wing where the Brazilian faded away, forced to focus more on his defensive duties than attacking.
Both have been fiercely criticised along with Zidane, who started two out-of-form players in a match that was life or death, as well as arriving at Stamford Bridge with an overly defensive approach in a match in which he had to score at least once.
Now, the debate has changed. With La Liga the only way to avoid a trophyless season, Zidane needs to decide if he will continue to give minutes to Hazard and Ramos, both far from their best form, or return to what had been working so well up until Wednesday.