What is different this season is that Real Madrid doesn't have this one outstanding goal scorer who guarantees a goal per game. It doesn't matter that much as Vinicius Junior and Valverde also took on that role to score goals, but I am more convinced than ever that the reports about Real Madrid trying to get Haaland to sign a contract are more valid than ever. Haaland would be the puzzle piece that Madrid is missing right now.
Haaland was available, and a very cheap option compared to Mbappé, but they ignored him and though Benzema would have a good season in terms of consistency like last season. It turns out they miscalculated. Now they have to watch helplessly while Barcelona take the title.
They will also have to become active and find some new midfielders when Kroos and Modric are going to leave the club. Even if they stay for another year or two, it is inevitable to replace them with extremely high quality midfielders. There is a lot of work to do for Real Madrid.
I think they have tried to find replacements for those two, though it will never be an easy task.