Saturday 20 October 2018 16:01, UK
Julen Lopetegui says his future is the "last thing" he is thinking about following Real Madrid’s 2-1 loss at home to Levante on Saturday.
Madrid made it five games without a victory at the Santiago Bernabeu, where they also set an unwanted record for the longest goal-drought in the club's history.
By the time Marcelo had finally found the net in the second half, Lopetegui's team had gone 481 minutes without a goal, passing the 464-minute dry spell Madrid endured in 1985.
Levante held on after scoring twice in the opening 13 minutes, as Jose Luis Morales and Roger Marti capitalised on mistakes by Raphael Varane. Roger scored from the penalty spot after Varane had handballed.
Asked about his future, Lopetegui said: "This is the last thing I am thinking about. I am only thinking about lifting the players quickly.
"We have a very important game in the Champions League in three days."
Madrid host Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday, looking to atone for a shock 1-0 defeat by CSKA Moscow last time out. They then face Barcelona at the Camp Nou on Sunday.
"I feel more encouraged than ever, I believe more than ever in this team," Lopetegui said.
"For the effort they have made and for how they have reacted to their misfortune. The team has left everything on the pitch and this is the way to turn the corner, there is no other way."
Lopetegui admitted he had witnessed a "sad changing room" after the match and his team were certainly not blessed with luck.
They hit the woodwork three times and suffered a two-goal swing as a result of the Video Assistant Referee.
Roger's penalty had been upgraded from a free-kick before Marco Asensio headed in at the other end, only to have his goal ruled out for offside.
"It is clear that it is not deserved," Lopetegui added. "But football is won by goals, not merit. We have done everything we think we have to do."
