Real Madrid's perfect start to La Liga came to an end on Saturday night.

Julen Lopetegui's side had won each of their first three outings in Cristiano Ronaldo's absence - but were held to a 1-1 draw by Athletic Bilbao.

Iker Muniain put the hosts in front but Isco came off the bench to level the scores midway through the second-half.

"It's a very difficult place to come," Lopetegui said to Movistar Partidazo. "Athletic are a team that comes to look for you, that presser you.

"Madrid never consider a draw to be good, we performed in the second half and we have to keep working."

Lopetegui is under immense pressure following Zinedine Zidane's incredibly successful two-and-a-half-year reign at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Remarkably, there are no football managers who have won more Champions League trophies (3) than Zidane.

Despite being unable to rely on Ronaldo, Lopetegui has enjoyed a strong start to life in the Madrid hot seat.

Only Barcelona have scored more goals than them and they've produced some scintillating football at times.

Getting out of trouble

Athletic Bilbao are renowned for their high press and Real Madrid had to get creative in order to get on the front foot.

At one point, Sergio Ramos made a remarkable steaming run in order to push his team up the pitch.

A short GIF has emerged showing how the Real Madrid players produced some beautiful one-touch football to get out of trouble.

Chelsea's Maurizio Sarri would definitely appreciate this passage of play - it's exactly how to deal with a high press.

The vast majority of the biggest football clubs in Europe are now showcasing football that is easy on the eye.

Real Madrid are set to begin their defence of the Champions League with a tricky Wednesday night fixture at home to Roma.

Are they working better as a team without Ronaldo? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment below.