Real Madrid transformed since Sevilla trip in September as Julen Lopetegui prepares for Bernabeu return
When Real Madrid travelled to the Sanchez Pizjuan to face Sevilla in LaLiga in September, Zinedine Zidane was a man under pressure.
Los Blancos had just lost 3-0 to Paris Saint-Germain and were heading into the fifth round of the league on the back of some unconvincing performances in the previous weeks, following successive draws against Valladolid and Villarreal and a nervy win over Levante, when they had been left hanging on after seeing a 3-0 lead cut to 3-2.
Sevilla, under former Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui, were top of the table and a defeat at that point would have left Zidane in an extremely delicate situation.
Instead, Real produced an impressive performance, kept a first clean sheet of the season and earned all three points thanks to Karim Benzema's second-half header.
It was a win which kick-started their season and Zidane's side have barely looked back since. Ahead of Saturday's second game against Sevilla, and Lopetegui's return to the Bernabeu, Madrid are joint-top of the table – behind leaders Barcelona on goal difference alone.
On top of that, Los Blancos have also won a trophy, having claimed the Spanish Supercopa in Saudi Arabia with victory on penalties over Atletico last Sunday.
"We're doing things well," Zidane said on Friday. "We know the season is long, but as always, we want to keep on as we are, keep showing what we can do."
Asked about Lopetegui, who succeeded him last summer but was sacked after just 10 league games in charge, Zidane said: "I don't want to talk about his moment here at Madrid, because it ended how it ended. But what I can say is that he is a very good coach."
And he added: "I hope he is well received, because he came through at this house [as a youngster]."
Lopetegui, whose side are just five points behind Real in fourth, also spoke to the media on Friday and said: "I have always received affection from the Bernabeu."
Sevilla will give Madrid's players a guard of honour on Saturday after their Supercopa success and Lopetegui added: "Zidane is doing an extraordinary job. For the results he has achieved and the trophies he has won, he deserves praise."
Real have beaten Sevilla in their last 12 games at the Bernabeu and are on a 14-match unbeaten run in all competitions ahead of Saturday's fixture.
It is quite the turnaround since they travelled to Seville amid a myriad of doubts and intense speculation over Zidane's job security back in September.
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