Though Real Madrid haven’t yet come close in 2017/18 to hitting the heights of last season domestically, with the possible exception of Saturday’s victory over Sevilla, Zinedine Zidane’s side remain an incredibly successful tournament team.

The way in which they brushed Barcelona aside in the Spanish Super Cup at the start of this campaign is testament to that.

Now there is another chance for silverware, and the prestige of being ‘World Champions’ once more. Yes, the Club World Cup has returned for another edition, being played this time in Abu Dhabi.

As the reigning champions, Los Blancos will be keen to cement their place at the top of the pile, and providing they overcome Al Jazira in the semi-final on Wednesday, they will play either Pachuca or Copa Libertadores winners Gremio in Saturday’s final.

With injuries to key players a continuing theme, and a potentially season-defining El Clasico fixture just a week after this tournament, Zidane will need to juggle a few balls in order for Real to see out the last couple of matches of the year successfully.

There’s little doubt that his is the strongest squad at the Club World Cup, but the niggling doubts that have affected them at crucial stages of the season need to be eradicated.

If, as expected, they meet Gremio in the final, the European champions can be assured of a tough 90 minutes. Although the Brazilians will be missing one of their best players, Arthur, a rumoured target of Barcelona’s, they still have enough about them to give Real a game if Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos et al are not at their best.

Should Pachuca progress, taking them lightly is not an option. We only need go back one year to recall the scare Los Blancos were given at the hands of Kashima Antlers.

They were taken all the way in extra time, but thanks to a Ronaldo hat-trick, Real prevailed and took the trophy back to Madrid.

Given that under Zidane they’ve been unstoppable in finals, it would be a surprise if they were to lose, but the coach will still have one eye on the game against Barcelona. He will know that if his team were to lose that game, they will have almost ceded La Liga to the Catalans before the Christmas break.

It ain’t over till it’s over, but being well adrift will mean an uphill struggle to retain their domestic crown.

In any event, that’s in their periphery for now. Right in front of them is another shot at glory and there’s an expectation that every player will give 100 per cent.

Win or lose, that’s all Real Madrid’s board, coaching staff and supporters can ask for.

— The author is an expert on Spanish football