Julen Lopetegui will “fight” on as Real Madrid coach ahead of the league meeting with Barcelona, amid a run of four defeats in five games.

Lopetegui is under huge pressure at Real and is unsure whether he will remain as coach for the upcoming fixture against rivals Barcelona. The Spaniard has faced intense criticism of late and is increasingly under more scrutiny every week to turn the club’s fortunes around.

Lopetegui confident of turning results around

52-year-old Lopetegui has been at the centre of much frustration in the Spanish capital this season, with Real Madrid currently in their worst start to a La Liga season since 2001/02.

Los Blancos have just 14 points from a possible 27 in the league and have one win and one loss from their two Champions League Group G matches.

They have now suffered four defeats in five games, including two hugely disappointing and unexpected losses at CSKA Moscow, Alaves and most recently at home to Levante.

Lopetegui is, however, confident that his side can overcome this difficult period.

"Results haven't been great but we are going to turn this around.

"What I've learned about this club is to fight, that is the DNA of this club. That's what we're going to do, fight, both the players and the coaching staff."

Upcoming fixtures will test the character of both coach and players

The Galacticos sit second in their Champions League group, and host Viktoria Plzen this evening, before travelling to Camp Nou this weekend to face La Liga rivals Barcelona.

Lopetegui’s squad will meet the Catalan club knowing that Lionel Messi will be watching on from the sidelines after his recent arm injury, and will be fully aware that this is an opportunity they must benefit from in order to save their coach from an inevitable sacking.

Has Lopetegui been condemned from the very start?

The 52-year-old was dismissed as the Spain national team manager after agreeing to join Real Madrid on the eve of the 2018 Russia World Cup and has been under pressure from day one of the hugely demanding job.

Lopetegui was unknown to most when he arrived at the club, having played just one game for Real between 1988 and 1991, before going on to represent Barcelona between 1994 and 1997.

The sale of star player Cristiano Ronaldo, coupled with yet another defeat that has left the side seventh in the league after nine games, has caused much of the anger towards Lopetegui, who is still unsure if he will remain the club’s coach in the next couple of days.

After a miserable run of form, the Real Madrid coach is aware of the pressure surrounding his position, yet has remained positive ahead of the grudge meeting with Barcelona.

"I'm here now, that's all I can say.

"If you ask me what is going to happen in a month or a year, I can't tell you. We're focused on the present."
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