Former Levante striker Salva Ballesta says Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui deserves greater respect.

Real meet Levante this weekend with Lopetegui under huge pressure after three defeats in their last four games.

But Salva told AS: "It seems to me a lack of total respect towards a great coach and a person who has shown that he loves the club.

"He has had bad luck with injuries, results, players that are not in the best moment.

"Who doubts the capabilities of Lopetegui is wrong."

On the game, Salva added: "We must rely on the fact that Real Madrid is not in the best moment, it is in a mini crisis, because anything but not winning is not good, it seems a failure, although I do not share it.

"Levante is growing at all levels and if we have done it once why cannot they do it again."