Lucas Vazquez has laughed off talk of a crisis at Real Madrid, with the supposedly out-of-sorts Blancos only four points adrift of Barcelona.
Those at Santiago Bernabeu have not enjoyed an easy run through 2018-19 to this point, with an inconsistent start to the campaign leading to Julen Lopetegui being relieved of his managerial duties.
That decision was taken on the back of a 5-1 Clasico mauling at Camp Nou, with Real considered to have hit a new low following a period of much change which had seen them bid farewell to talismanic figures such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane.
They have, however, recovered since handing the reins to caretaker coach Santiago Solari, with four successive victories secured across all competitions.
The most recent of those came against Celta Vigo, who were downed 4-2 on Sunday, with that result enough see Madrid close the gap on La Liga leaders Barca – who suffered a shock home defeat to Real Betis.
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Vazquez told reporters of goings on in the Spanish capital: “It was a very important match for us, we win again and when you chase good results, confidence increases and things come out.
“So much crisis talk and we are four points behind Barcelona. We will continue working to reduce that distance and fight for the title.”
With Solari having helped to steady the Madrid ship, it has been suggested that he will soon be appointed on a permanent basis.
Vazquez would be in full support of that decision, adding: “It is difficult to do better, we have recovered the good feelings, we win matches again and, in my opinion, he has earned the right to continue in the position.”
Real have seen their return to form clouded somewhat by unfortunate injuries to Casemiro and Nacho, with Raphael Varane and Jesus Vallejo already on the treatment table, but Vazquez believes the Blancos boast the squad depth to cover such absences.
He said: “We know how to overcome misfortune in the form of injuries suffered by two teammates, more than ever we have shown that we are a group and that when someone leaves the bench, he also responds and sacrifices himself for the collective.”
Real will return to action after the international break with a trip to Eibar, before then facing Roma in the latest instalment of their Champions League title defence.