SHOWS: MADRID, SPAIN (OCTOBER 22, 2018) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) REAL MADRID COACH JULEN LOPETEGUI SAYING: "I face every day with the same normality because I understand that's how we need to do it and because it's the only thing under our control.

If what you want is to see a sunken and wounded coach, don't look here.

On the contrary, I have the utmost hope, ambition and I'm really looking forward to win tomorrow's match and performing well, because the rival and the competition will demand it from us.

It's the only thing we are focussed on." 2.

WHITE FLASH 3.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) REAL MADRID PLAYMAKER ISCO ALARCON SAYING: "Yes, I think it would be insane (to sack coach Lopetegui).

We have to let people work, we have been here for two months and if they fire the coach they have to fire every player too because we are ones on the pitch, the ones who have to score and defend.

As I said before, we are all part of this not only the coach.

I have confidence in this team and that together we will have a great year." STORY; Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui said on Monday (October 22) he would fight to turn the team's performance around as pressure mounted on him following a series of poor results that has sent Real down to seventh place in the La Liga table.

Former national coach, Lopetegui has been at the Real helm for nine La Liga games, only four of which ended in victory for the club, and local media have reported rumours about his likely dismissal following Saturday's 2-1 defeat at home to Levante.

A defiant Lopetegui, however, brushed off the reports and said there was still time to reverse the team's fortunes.

"If you're wanting to see a wounded coach, don't look over here," he told a news conference ahead of Real's Champions League tie with Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday.

Playmaker Isco Alarcon fought the rumors back and said it would be insane to fire Lopetegui, who caused controversy for accepting the Real job on the eve of the World Cup and was fired by the Spanish FA.

Isco said he completely trusts the squad and when asked if the team misses Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo, the playmaker said: "We can't be crying for someone who didn't want to be here." Real are without a win in their last five games in all competitions, and their defeat to CSKA Moscow earlier this month means that they sit second in Group G in the Champions League, behind the Russians and level on points with third-placed Roma.