Julen Lopetegui sends out strong message amid sacking rumours

Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui is "convinced" that he will still be in charge of Los Blancos for Sunday's trip to Barcelona in La Liga.

Madrid returned to winning ways on Tuesday night as goals from Karim Benzema and Marcelo proved enough for the European champions to beat Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League.

Los Blancos once again failed to impress, however, and it is understood that there is still huge pressure on Lopetegui following the team's difficult start to the 2018-19 campaign.

Madrid will travel to Barcelona this weekend for the first El Clasico of the season, and Lopetegui is already preparing for the clash at Camp Nou.

"Still coach for the Clasico? That's not for me to answer, but yes I'm convinced I will be. We're thinking about preparations for Sunday's game, which is very important, and we'll go to Camp Nou with a lot of ambition," Lopetegui told reporters.

Madrid are currently seventh in La Liga but sit just four points off table-topping Barcelona.