Dani Alves believes Real Madrid are a more dangerous side after selling Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner – Madrid's all-time record goalscorer – joined the Serie A champions in a deal worth €112million in July.
But Madrid have claimed 10 points from their opening four LaLiga games under new boss Julen Lopetegui, with Ronaldo's old attacking allies Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema to the fore.
"I think that, contrary to what everybody thinks, Madrid is more of a team without Cristiano," he told Marca.
"Now it's a bit more difficult than it was before - before it was complicated but focused a lot on Cristiano, and now it's a bit more dangerous, at least [in terms of] how I see football and my concept of this game."
He added: "It's not going to be so easy to beat Madrid, they are more of a team now. It's obvious that Cristiano is a brutal loss for Madrid, but Madrid are Madrid."
Madrid begin the quest for a fourth successive title in another LaLiga-versus-Serie A clash when they take on last season's semi-finalists Roma.
