Real Madrid talking points as Julen Lopetegui limps on with narrow Viktoria Plzen win

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  • Head coach Julen Lopetegui failed to ease the all-consuming pressure that surrounds him as Real Madrid ended a five-match winless streak with a listless 2-1 Champions League-triumph against Czech Republic’s Viktoria Plzen.

    Amid rampant rumour about an immediate end being brought to his short tenure, the ex-Spain supremo witnessed striker Karim Benzema nod in a fine Lucas Vazquez cross on 11 minutes.

    The unusual deployment of the latter-mentioned player at right-back, however, twice almost gifted the Group G also-rans a leveller. Left-back David Limbersky chipped over when he ran into space and unmarked Slovakia midfielder Patrik Hrosovsky embarrassing miscued when five-yards out.

    Left-back Marcelo produced a lob of his own on 55 minutes, but boos rained down when winger Ales Cermak soon skipped through several feeble challenges and Hrosovsky made amends with an artful finish into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

    LOPETEGUI LIMPS ON

    The dead-man walking either got to live for another day, or departs with a winning – albeit hardly satisfactory – send-off.

    Rumours had been rampant about an imminent execution after Saturday’s abysmal 2-1 home loss to Levante, a fourth defeat in five matches. Lopetegui, however, was allowed to sit in the Santiago Bernabeu dug-out on Tuesday evening – potentially for the last time with an El Clasico at Barcelona up next on Sunday.

    Wales forward Gareth Bale and goalscorer Benzema – whose 11th-minute opener was the earliest of Lopetegui’s troubled four-month reign – were fit enough to feature in five changes. Vazquez’s utilization reeked of desperation – and should have been punished.

    Lopetegui, 52, wore the expression of a condemned man. He was treated as such by a crowd that grew increasingly exasperated as the game went on, the Czech First League’s second placed side weren’t put to bed and even had the temerity to score after they had crafted – or been gifted by welcoming hosts – several gilt-edged chances.

    Their mood hardly improved as left-back Marcelo deliciously lobbed in the second before the hour mark. It darkened, considerably, when Hrosovsky then deftly pounced with impunity.

    Something has to change at Camp Nou in five days.

    Almost certainly, this will be the presence of Castilla supremo Santiago Solari or someone else entirely – ex-Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has been hotly tipped – in the technical area.

    BENZEMA MOTORS FORWARD

    Strange times at Santiago Bernabeu were signified at the weekend when the absence of the maligned Benzema was mourned.

    The 30-year-old was fully recovered from a calf issue for Plzen’s visit and rose highest to nod in a modest sixth strike in 13 2018/19 run-outs.

    Whether he still packs the punch to threaten Europe’s finest sides is a debate for another occasion.

    Of greater significance was the fact he joined club legend Raul as one of only three player in UCL history to score during 14-successive seasons. Credit where it is due.

    ISCO’S WAKE-UP CALL?

    Another Madrid game passed Isco by.

    2016/17’s playmaker extraordinaire lost the confidence of Zinedine Zidane last term. Against Plzen, he was hooked by Lopetegui after 53 disinterested minutes.

    Some reward for a coach that he blossomed under with Spain.

    From 79 touches, only two key passes and two harmless shots were produced. Replacement Federico Valverde, in contrast, played a cute pass in the build-up for Marcelo’s goal.

    Isco now has one goal and one assists in nine appearances this term. Plus, completed 90 minutes just once.

    This was a figure expected to grasp superstardom with the summer exit of Cristiano Ronaldo. Instead, he keeps sinking into the shadows.

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