SM
Barcelona vs. Valencia: 4 hrs 3 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
RM
Champions League | Group Stage
Oct 23, 2018 at 8pm UK
 

2-1

Benzema (11'), Marcelo (55')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Hrosovsky (79')

Lopetegui: If you want to see a dejected coach don't look here

:Headline: Lopetegui: If you want to see a dejected coach don't look here: ID:339309: from db_amp
The former Spain coach is under pressure with Real Madrid having lost four of their last five matches in all competitions.

Under-fire Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui is adamant he will be in charge of Tuesday's Champions League clash with Viktoria Plzen.

Reports suggested the former Spain manager was about to lose his job after an embarrassing 2-1 home loss to Levante at the weekend made it four defeats from five in all competitions and left them seventh in LaLiga.

Real resume their Champions League campaign – where they lost to CSKA Moscow last time out –  against the Czech outfit, and Lopetegui is insistent he will still be in a job.

He told a press conference, as reported in the Spanish media: "I am looking at the situation the same as ever, I am carrying out my day-to-day as usual and that is what is under our control.

"If you want to see a dejected coach then don't look here.

"In my view we have a game that we are looking forward to and we will go about it with total commitment and drive.

"I am not thinking about anything else other than tomorrow's game."

Speculation is rife that the Group G clash could be his last game in charge, but even if they do win, it seems unlikely he would survive a defeat in Saturday's El Clasico against Barcelona.

"It has been assumed as done and dusted from what I have read but what I have done is analyse and prepare for the rival, I am not thinking of anything else which is my responsibility," added Lopetegui.

"I am here right now, I cannot confirm anything else right now. I will be the coach tomorrow."

Midfielder Isco is firmly behind his manager and says the players must take responsibility for the reigning European champions' slump.

He said: "I think it would be crazy (to sack him), you have to let him work.

"He has only been here for two months. If you get rid of the coach you have to get rid of all of us.

"It is us that haven't been scoring goals or playing well. It belongs to all of us, not just the coach.

"The responsibility is on everyone, not just the coach. It's the players that don't score the goals.

"We know better than anyone what the atmosphere is in the changing room.

"It's calm, we're confident we can turn things around."

Isco, left, says the Real Madrid players have to take responsibility for their poor form (Mike Egerton/PA)

Real are third in the group, a point behind leaders CSKA, who play Roma.

Plzen travel to the Spanish capital second in their domestic league, but without much expectation.

And midfielder Patrik Hrosovsky is not being fooled by Real's predicament.

"We certainly have respect for each rival, and of Real Madrid for that quality of course," he told the club's official website.

"Now they are not doing so much, but last season it was similar and eventually won the Champions League.

"The quality is huge here.

"I look forward to the stadium and the team, it is definitely an exceptional team, three times in a row they won the Champions League and, of course, no one knows if we will ever have a chance to play against such a team again."

amp_article__339309 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2018-10-22 14:09:36:
html db last update - 2021-03-03 22:54:09 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Julen Lopetegui

Click here for more stories about Real Madrid

Share this article now:
Read more about Julen Lopetegui Football
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid33266171224984
2GironaGirona33225669402971
3Barcelona32217464372770
4Atletico MadridAtletico33204962392364
5Athletic Bilbao331610753332058
6Real Sociedad331312846351151
7Real BetisBetis33121384139249
8Valencia32138113534147
9Villarreal33129125455-145
10Getafe331013104145-443
11Osasuna33116163749-1239
12Sevilla33911134246-438
13AlavesAlaves33108153138-738
14Las PalmasLas Palmas33107163041-1137
15Rayo Vallecano33713132742-1534
16Mallorca33614132739-1232
17Celta Vigo33710163750-1331
18CadizCadiz33414152346-2326
19Granada3349203661-2521
RAlmeria33111213267-3514
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .