REAL MADRID boss Julen Lopetegui’s tactics are currently the talk of the Bernabeu dressing room and it seems his decisions are not going down well with everyone.
Real Madrid’s first few months under new boss Lopetegui have not exactly gone to plan with the club sat fourth in La Liga.
Los Blancos are without a win in their last four matches and defeat to Alaves before the international break has caused plenty of concern around the camp.
And, according to Spanish publication OK Diario, it seems some of Lopetegui’s decision are angering four players in the dressing room; Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Gareth Bale and Thibaut Courtois.
It is claimed both Modric and Kroos are unhappy with their playing positions in midfield with the pair often being deployed in a 4-3-3 formation with Casemiro in the middle.
Meanwhile, Courtois is frustrated at a lack of minutes since his summer arrival from Chelsea that has so far seen him remain on the bench for Champions League games with Keylor Navas preferred.
Recent reports of Madrid willing to cash in on Bale are also causing concern for the Welshman who remains keen to fight for his place at the Bernabeu.
While the aforementioned quartet are reportedly frustrated with Lopetegui, their views have been met with a stern response from the likes of captain Sergio Ramos and long-time serve Isco.
“In Real Madrid right now there are two blocks with respect to the opinion and attitude regarding Julen Lopetegui,” Ok Diario journalist Eduardo Inda said.
“They are on the one hand the Spaniards of the national team, captained by Sergio Ramos, and on the other hand the foreigners, who are not currently with Julen.
Ramos and Isco have launched a staunch defence of their manager in the dressing room and believe the club will be able to make things right.
The pair acknowledge they are going through a rough patch of late but believe Lopetegui can turn things around.
La Liga expert Balague believes the European giants need to get back to winning ways before they take on Barcelona at the end of the month or it could be the end for Lopetegui.
“Lopetegui has until the Clasico against Barcelona, which is three games, to show that he is the man for the job,” said Balague.
“Meanwhile, they are looking around at people such as Antonio Conte to see if his contract situation at Chelsea has been completely resolved.
“If you doubt that the man in charge should be continuing, that is what Real Madrid do. There is nobody from within, like previously when Zinedine Zidane was the solution.
“Lopetegui and some of the players feel it is just a blip and they can come out of it. The board is not so sure.”
Source:www.express.co.uk