Some teams just seem to have entertainment in their DNA. Tuesday night’s round of Champions League fixtures provided Europe with its first glimpse of Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Madrid, and the new generation of galacticos did not disappoint against FC Zurich.

Fluid and fearsome in attack but shaky at the back in their 5-2 victory, this Real side may have rapidly evolved under the second rule of president Florentino Perez but their hereditary problems persist, racked as they are by the same defensive doubts even as they exude confidence further up the pitch.

After five consecutive seasons of failing to reach the quarter-finals, this is the year that Madrid, having spent in excess of £200 million over the summer, are supposed to once more consummate their love affair with the European Cup.

Nine-time winners, more than any other club, Madrid’s search for a perfect ten has been a painful one in recent seasons but the captures of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso seemed to ensure they were once again a formidable force in the European game. Even rivals Barcelona were trailing in their wake before orchestrating a huge transfer for Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

But much less attention was paid to the defence. Summer signings Raul Albiol and Alvaro Arbeloa both started in Switzerland but Royston Drenthe, still to convince, was installed at left back. It was not a defence that had the complexion of likely Champions League winners.

They were not truly tested in the first half as Pellegrini’s forward three, Cristiano Ronaldo, Raul and Gonzalo Higuain, all netted in a convincing display of attacking football. Higuain, purposeful and dangerous as always, was surely inspired by the sight of Benzema brooding on the bench, waiting for a chance to come on and prove his quality.

Raul, meanwhile, must be determined to prove he merits a place in Pellegrini’s star-studded side and his goal, coupled with Filippo Inzaghi’s double against Marseille, means the two ageing forwards sit proudly atop the all-time European goalscorers list with 67 strikes.

It was only after the break that Real suddenly looked exposed. Iker Casillas gave away a penalty that looked very much in the Eduardo mould as Alexandre Alphonse fell under minimal contact before Xavier Margairaz scored from 12 yards. Within a minute of an incident that would surely have come under UEFA’s remit had they not withdrawn their sanction against the Arsenal striker, Silvan Aegerter had wriggled free to head home from a corner.

It was a double setback that had those old defensive doubts creeping in once more.

Real waited until 89 minutes to secure the victory when another Ronaldo free-kick humiliated keeper Johnny Leoni, who had a very poor night, even if Guti’s sumptuous chip in injury time was a real moment of beauty.

But Madrid are capable of such genius. With their ranks and ranks of attacking talent they will be a threat to any side. Against the likes of Barcelona, Inter and Manchester United, will they be fatally exposed at the back?

It is defensive concerns that persist and even a truly historic spending spree has not erased that element of their genetic make-up, to the considerable benefit of neutrals everywhere.