Julen Lopetegui is under pressure after losing three games of the last four. Media have already reported that Real Madrid contacted Antonio Conte and that the current manager will be sacked soon. Despite the reports, Julen remains calm: "This season is only beginning, nobody knows yet what will happen this season. We have to show on the pitch what we can do, obviously with some things to improve.
"I am feeling fine, this is RM and the demands are max. There are ups and downs in a season, but we have the ambition and motivation and we must keep working and keep believing."
Despite the four-game goal drought, the coach isn't looking towards the January transfer window: "The solution is within the players I have. I have full confidence in my squad, all the players. I am sure we will play a great season - each competition is still to be decided, there is a long way to go yet."
"Each season has ups and downs, but I am sure we will arrive strong at the end of the season. At the moment we are just focused on tomorrow’s game - against a tough opponent - not looking any further. There are three points in play tomorrow, which could bring us top of the table, and we must focus on that.
"We will try and do the only thing we can - focus on the game, and not think about external things. We must create as many chances as we can, and try and take them. That is all I can say on that. The plans keep evolving over the season, depending on the opponent, the moment of the season. But we still believe in our idea of the play, there are things we have done well, and others we can improve, the same as all teams."
Julen Lopetegui has hinted that Gareth Bale, Isco and Karim Benzema might be ready to play on Saturday.
"Gareth Bale? We will see from training, must wait to see how it goes, and make our decision for tomorrow. We are optimistic. He has been very responsible. Did not play with his national team when maybe he could have forced things. So he has a chance to recover and come back tomorrow.
"Isco had appendicitis, difficult to do anything about, but he has come through it, and is one more option for tomorrow. We want to have max number of players available, we are happy to have him back.
"Benzema has had two sessions with the team, today is the third. We will see how he is, the same as other teammates. But mentally he is fine, no problem at all. The only one definitely out is Dani. Today is the last training session, we will look closely and decide on the squad for tomorrow. Not all are going to make it back exactly the same."
