Lopetegui to critics: Real Madrid have the same points as the league leaders Real Madrid Plays down poor form

Julen Lopetegui has spoken to the press ahead of Real Madrid's LaLiga Santander clash with Alaves on Saturday and didn't appear too concerned with the state of his team.

Despite the recent bad run of results, he believes it is important to recognise the positive aspects of Madrid's performances and is only worried about this weekend's match.

"This is Real Madrid, the most important thing is how we feel. We know that problems will come and we have to be able to overcome them," he said.

"We have to focus on the positives.

"Everyone always demands the most from us, you have to take that on with normality.

"The focus is right, we have the same points as the league leaders [Barcelona], and in the Champions League we know we'll continue the same path as we saw against Roma.

"We certainly dropped three points against CSKA Moscow but we were unlucky.

"Now we focus on Alaves, a team that haven't lost in six matches and will be in front of their own fans."

Although the Los Blancos coach respects the opposition, he only wants to concentrate on his own team.

"You have to know about and respect them of course, but the focus is always on what we have to do," he continued.

"I expect a very tough game. They have very clear ideas and really maximise their resources, they have players that have really found their feet at Alaves.

"We will have to play really well to beat them."

Lopetegui also commented on his treatment by the press and dismissed speculation surrounding his future.

"I'm not concerned about how the press treat me," he admitted.

"All I'm worried about is the players' work each day at Valdebebas.

"We are not analysing what people think, we are focused on tomorrow's game.

"We are working every day to improve and it's clear that the club's objectives are still intact as we are still fighting for all competitions.

"We see the players and we know that the team is convinced and has played very well at times.

"We will be judged at the end of the season as we said after the Roma game.

"Do I fear for my position? No, a coach only thinks about preparing his team for the next match."

The Real Madrid coach also clarified why he replaced Gareth Bale at the midway point in the Madrid derby.

"Gareth [Bale] is an important player, he's fine," he continued.

"He felt a slight niggle which would have got worse if he had continued and so I took him off at half time against Atletico [Madrid]."