Former Real Madrid defender Michel has dismissed talk of crisis at the club.

Michel, now in charge of the club's Castilla team, laughed: "We must be in very deep crisis if the team has qualified for the next round of the Champions League and are so close to the Liga leadership!

"The seasons are very long and, as in all jobs, the evaluation should be made at the end."

Michel did warn, however, "If at the end of the season, a team like Real Madrid, who expects to win all the titles, has failed to win any, the coach is always on a tightrope."