Real Madrid's Isco backs coach, squad after rocky start to season

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Flipboard
  • Email
  • WhatsApp

Madrid : Real Madrid midfielder Isco Alarcon on Monday said he has confidence in his coach Julen Lopetegui and the rest of his squad despite the rocky start to the football season.

The Spain international spoke alongside Lopetegui at a press conference ahead of Tuesday's home game against Czech club Viktoria Plzen in the UEFA Champions League group stage, reports Efe.

"It would seem crazy to throw out Lopetegui," Isco asserted in a strong defence of his former coach at the Spanish national team.

After winning only five of 12 games since Lopetegui took the helm this season, media speculation has said the Spanish coach's exit may be imminent, particularly in light of the current five-game winless skid.

"We have to let (him) work, we've only had two months. If they throw out the coach, they have to throw us all out because we are the ones on the field, we have to score and defend," he added.

"We give everything and when we don't get the result we want, we go away feeling bad. It's everyone's responsibility, not just the coach," Isco asserted.

"It's not easy to take this many bad results. I've been here for six seasons and I've also experienced bad times, and we've managed to turn things around," Isco said.

"We have to find the balance to try to correct defensive errors that are costing us games. It's those details that make the result," Isco explained.

Asked about the absence of former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, Isco said "We cannot cry over someone who did not want to be here."

After two matches, Real Madrid is currently third in Champions League Group G with three points, right behind Roma.

The two teams are tied when it comes to points, but the Italian team's higher number of goals scored gives it an edge in the standings.

CSKA Moscow leads the group with four points, while Viktoria Plzen is at the bottom with one point.

In La Liga, Real Madrid is seventh in the table with 14 points, four points behind league leader Barcelona.

Published : Monday, October 22, 2018 22:00 [IST]
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Flipboard
  • Email
  • WhatsApp
For more news and latest updates like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter