Real Madrid got back to winning ways with a 2-1 Champions League victory over Viktoria Plzen at the Bernabeu, but the result is almost certainly too late to save coach Julen Lopetegui from the chop.
Karim Benzema headed stuttering triple European champions Real ahead early in the first half but they were fortunate not to concede an equaliser before the break as they leaked three glaring chances which the Czechs failed to capitalise on.
Real's Brazilian left back Marcelo got the second goal with a coolly-taken dinked finish in the 55th minute and they then missed a glut of chances to extend the lead, which was cut by an ice-cool finish from Plzen's Patrik Hrosovsky in the 78th.
Real held on for a far-from convincing win which takes them joint top of Group G with AS Roma on six points after three games but failed to answer serious questions about their form ahead of Sunday's 'Clasico' away to arch rivals Barcelona
More to follow.
