Julen Lopetegui: Still have ‘strength & confidence’ in Real Madrid

Julen Lopetegui insists Real Madrid were ‘unlucky’ against Barcelona and that he still has ‘strength and confidence’ to coach the team.

“It’s hard to take and more so at Barcelona,” said the Coach after Los Blancos’ 5-1 defeat in the Clasico on Sunday.

“I felt we had the chance to turn the game around. They were better than us in the first half but without making many chances.

“We were much better in the first half and we had the chance to get back into the game, but ultimately no luck and Suarez’s goal to make it 3-1 killed us off.

“The result doesn’t reflect the run of play, but we must accept it. I’m said, like the dressing room.

“It’s a hard pill to swallow, but I’m strong and we’re only in October. Everything is reversible for how much of the season remains and the confidence I have in the squad.

“The team have enough life in them for the rest of the season. I feel strong enough to keep leading this team.

“If I haven’t criticised my team so far, I won’t start now. All I want is to do is raise the morale of my players.

“We had chances and superiority, but if you’re not ruthless then it punishes you in terms of morale and the game chances. I can’t criticise my players.

“Everyone is affected by the result, but I’d like to see what happens in May or April. The team have something to say this season.

“It’s been three tremendous weeks, where everything has happened to us… It was a strange game. They were very strong.

“I go back to the chances we had, but ultimately both boxes decide football matches. I don’t make decisions about my dismissal. I only think about raising my players’ morale.

“The team were doing fine until 3-1. We were where we had to be for the comeback and I thought we made them unstable. My team were doing fine until then.

“Sporting responsibility always falls on the Coach, but here we all win and all lose together. I’m still convinced that Madrid will celebrate at the end of the season.

“We have to bounce back because the outside won’t help us. We must insist, insist and insist.”

Tags Clasico Julen Lopetegui
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