Julen Lopetegui lives to fight another day as Real Madrid limp towards the Clasico

In the press box before Real Madrid’s game against Viktoria Plzen, a few journalists were discussing Julen Lopetegui’s future. “A big win and he’ll be in charge against Barcelona on Sunday ,” one said. “But what if they win 1-0 and are unconvincing?” another asked. “Worse: 2-1! With the other team scoring; hanging on at the end…” a third said.

And that is precisely what happened: Madrid did win 2-1 , the other team did score, and Real were unconvincing. Marca even made that their headline for Wednesday morning. “Not convincing.” And AS said: “Winning like that does not bring calm.”

It did bring boos, though. There were jeers aplenty at the final whistle as Real Madrid’s players left the pitch. On it, they had secured a first victory in a month and ended their losing streak, at least, although Barcelona will hardly be running scared on this evidence.

Oh yes, Barcelona. That was the big topic straight after the game. “Can you confirm you will be in charge for the Clasico on Sunday?” Lopetegui was asked in his flash interview on television. He couldn’t. But Emilio Butragueno did .

The former Spain striker was speaking on Spanish TV around the same time. “Yes, yes. As normal,” he said. “In these type of situations, it is important to maintain calm and trust in the players.”

Despite the diplomacy, it is interesting that he spoke of the players. But given that he is Real Madrid’s director of institutional relations, it seemed like confirmation. Lopetegui will be coach for the Clasico. At least for one Clasico.

“It would be a risk,” one of the journalists had said before the game in that same chat. “If Real Madrid win against Barcelona, they can’t sack Lopetegui.” Well, at least not for a while.

Back in 2015, Rafa Benitez survived a 4-0 loss to Barca at home, but was removed after a 2-2 draw at Valencia in January. Because by that time, Real Madrid had a successor in place: Zinedine Zidane. At the time of the Clasico defeat, they did not.

And that is almost certainly what is happening here. Lopetegui looks gone. It would take something spectacular to revert this situation now. An emphatic win at Camp Nou would be a start. “I’m already thinking about it,” the coach said afterwards. “Tomorrow, we will all be thinking about it.”

On Tuesday, Madrid missed chances again, just as they have in recent games. They also conceded chances. Too many. And Viktoria Plzen, a modest outfit with an 11,700-seater stadium, squandered two wonderful opportunities. 

“I’m happy,” Lopetegui said after the game. But he did not look it. In truth, he rarely does and one journalist suggested he was downcast. “I don’t smile much,” the Basque said. But he also objected to the question. “Are you a psychologist?” he asked his inquisitor.

Over in the mixed zone, Marcelo was not smiling either. The Brazilian, who scored one of Madrid’s goals (along with Karim Benzema), finished the match with an injury after taking a knock to his ankle and is a doubt for the game against Barcelona. But he was also annoyed at some of the questions from the media and when it was put to him that Madrid had been in crisis, he snapped.

“It’s hard when you don’t win,” he said. “But you talk about a crisis. You journalists all try to harm us. Maybe it’s envy because you don’t know how to play football.”

More of a concern should perhaps be how Madrid are playing football at the moment. Which is not very well. On Sunday, that will need to change.

Lopetegui will still be in charge. “Marvellous,” Marcelo said. But AS added: “He is still on the edge of the abyss.” On Saturday, after defeat to Levante, they claimed he had been in it. And at Camp Nou, he could be again. At least he will be there, though.