Former Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello is urging his old club not to sack Julen Lopetegui.

Despite victory over Champions League opponents Viktoria Plzen last night, Lopetegui's job remains on the line going into the El Clasico this weekend against Barcelona.

Capello told Sky Italia: "I hope that Lopetegui will have my same luck, they gave me four games, then we drew three and made the Clasico, and from there we kept growing until we won the championship.

"Madrid have problems at the defensive and playing level, it is difficult to move the ball, they've lost fluidity.

"When you play at the Bernabéu and at the first ball you miss you hear the whistles, everything is more complicated. Without Cristiano (Ronaldo), you do not start every game by winning 1-0.

"It is clear they're missing someone who could replace him."