REAL MADRID beat Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in the group stage of the Champions League on Tuesday in a narrow victory that did little to ease the pressure on embattled coach Julen Lopetegui.
Karim Benzema and Marcelo scored a goal in each half for Madrid as the three-time defending European champions ended a five-match winless streak in all competitions, but Lopetegui's team struggled at times at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
The new coach will have another chance to quieten his critics maybe his last in the "clasico" against Barcelona at Camp Nou Stadium in the Spanish league on Sunday.
Madrid has six points in Group G after three matches. Roma, which defeated CSKA Moscow 3-0 at home in the other group match, also has six points.
Madrid had lost four of its last five matches, including a 1-0 defeat at CSKA Moscow.
Benzema opened the scoring with an 11th-minute header and Marcelo added to the lead from inside the area in the 55th after a neat back-heel pass by Gareth Bale.
The visitors, who had some good scoring chances in the first half, pulled one closer with a 79th-minute goal by Patrik Hrosovsky.
Meanwhile, reports claim Real have made contact with former boss Jose Mourinho.
The Special One is seen as the man to change their fortunes, with Lopetegui's job still on the line despite tonight's result.
However, Mourinho has insisted he wants to see out his Manchester United contract, which expires in 2020, and even has plans to remain beyond that date.
Sergio Ramos has bust-up in Real Madrid training as pressure mounts on flops after another La Liga defeat
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