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Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui’s job safe for now

Aditya Devavrat

00:44 09/10/2018

Real Madrid‘s run of four straight games without a win, which includes three losses, has put manager Julen Lopetegui under pressure, though Marca report that the Spaniard’s job is safe for now.

Los Blancos’ 1-0 loss to Alaves on Saturday means they’ve picked up just one point from the last nine available in La Liga, while they also suffered a shock defeat to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League in midweek. They failed to score in any of these games, their first such run in 33 years.

The likes of Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio have seen a dip in form, while Gareth Bale and Isco have been out with injuries, limiting Madrid’s attack.

New signings Mariano Diaz and Vinicius Junior are still finding their feet, with Lopetegui’s handling of the latter being questioned as the young Brazilian was in the reserves for the first month of the season before making his first-team debut last weekend, during the 0-0 draw against Atletico Madrid.

The club’s transfer business is also being questioned, as despite being linked with Eden Hazard, Kylian Mbappe, and Neymar, no high-profile signing was made, even as Cristiano Ronaldo was sold to Juventus with no proven goalscorer to replace the 50 goals per season the Portuguese brought to the side.

Lopetegui will have welcomed the international break, but the Spaniard’s work is cut out to arrest Madrid’s slide.

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