Real Madrid legend Dani Carvajal admitted that his team is encountering problems finding a balance between Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. in attack.
Madrid boosted a treble-winning outfit with the Frenchman after he completed a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, in turn becoming President Florentino Perez's latest Galactico.
Though he netted on his debut against Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup, Mbappe then embarked on a three-game goal drought in La Liga ended by a brace at the Bernabeu which sunk Real Betis 2-0 ahead of the international break.
Asked about the relationship between Mbappe and Vinicius during said break with Spain, Carvajal admitted to teething problems as "both Vini and Kylian or Rodry [Rodrygo] are players who like to drop to the left wing and not stick so much to the right".
"That they end up understanding each other is a matter of time, the important thing is to find a balance and that will come soon," the veteran predicted.
An all-round lack of goals has played its part in defending champions Madrid currently trailing bitter rivals FC Barcelona by four points at the top of the table.
Yet an old war horse like Carvajal, who has been round the block a few times, isn't going to get his feathers ruffled about this at such an early stage of the season.
"There's been four games. This is a long-distance race and now the calendar is tightening. The games are demanding and they will surely drop points," the 33-year-old predicted.
Winning the Champions League with his club and Euros with Spain, in addition to La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup, Carvajal was recognised for these achievements with inclusion on the 30-man shortlist for football's highest individual accolade the Ballon d'Or earlier this month.
"It is only because I am nominated for the Ballon d'Or that it is a great success, because I've had a great year. Above all, I want to enjoy the gala and hopefully be able to hear my name," he remarked on this.
As things stand, this could be Carvajal's last season at his boyhood club because of his contract expiring on June 30, 2025.
Regarding a possible extension, Carvajal said that "if all parties agree, I want to renew and prolong my career at Real Madrid, which is what I have always wanted and want now.
"After my time at Madrid I wouldn't like to play for any club in Europe out of respect," he stressed, which makes either the United States or Saudi Arabia a likely next destination if he doesn't retire in the Spanish capital.