LaLiga 2018-19: 3 reasons why Real Madrid lost to Deportivo Alaves

#3 Is it the end of the road for Julen Lopetegui?

Lopetegui needs to go back to the drawing board before everything fizzles out of his hand

How long will Julen Lopetegui survive? The supporters have already started campaigning against the Spanish coach. Even under Rafael Benitez, who was sacked midway in the 2015-16 season, had a better record.

Real had a very smooth campaign at the beginning of this season, with three wins from as many matches in La Liga. Problems started to arise when they were held against Athletic Bilbao, and the subsequent losses against Sevilla, CSKA and Alaves proves all is not well.

In the absence of Isco, Marcelo and Dani Carvajal, Lopetegui started with the best available line-up. Four of them got a place in FIFpro World XI recently. But for the whole 90 minutes, they failed to find the back of the net.

Gareth Bale started after coming back from injury but midway in the second half, the Welshman looked dead tired as eventually substituted by Lopetegui.

What Lopetegui wants to do with this team is hard to understand. But his time is running out. He will have only two matches – Levante in La Liga and Victoria Plzen in Champions League – before the biggest encounter against Barcelona.

Lopetegui needs to go back to the drawing board before everything fizzles out of his hand.