'I'm going to fight!' - Lopetegui vows to battle on at Real Madrid despite sack reports

Embattled Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui has vowed to "fight" on at the club despite reports that he may be sacked before El Clasico.

Real have endured their worst start in La Liga since the 2001-02 season, and they face Viktoria Plzen and Barcelona in a pivotal week.

A winless run of five games has seen the club slip to seventh in La Liga, and they have already tasted defeat in Europe, losing 1-0 to CSKA Moscow.

Reports from various outlets, including Sky Sports, have claimed that Lopetegui could be sacked in the coming days, before they face Barca in the first Clasico of the season.

He is undeterred, however, and plans to keep plugging away in the dugout.

"What I've learned about this club is to fight," said Lopetegui.

"That is the DNA of this club, that's what we're going to do, fight. Both the players and the coaches. We know results haven't been great but we are going to turn this around."

Goal understands that Lopetegui is likely to be in charge against Barcelona, though an adverse result against Plzen could see plans in the Bernabeu boardroom change.

The former Spain manager was also asked if he would be in charge against Barca: "I'm here now, that's all I can say. I am the coach at this moment.

"If you ask me what is going to happen in a month or a year I can't tell you. We're focused on the present."

Lopetegui remains full of trust for his squad, too, and maintains that they will not be affected by speculation.

"They are strong, they are champions," he said.

"They have had bad times but they are strong. They haven't been champions by believing everything they hear."