Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane says his team need to win Sunday afternoon's La Liga game against Eibar at the Bernabeu to come out of their recent disappointing run of results.
Madrid began the season winning each of their six games in all competitions but have since drawn three in a row against Villarreal and Las Palmas in La Liga and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
At a news conference at the club's Valdebebas training ground Zidane was asked if he felt it was unfair for him to be facing criticism considering they won last season's Champions League and were still unbeaten and topping the Liga table.
"I've been a player here, and been here many years," Zidane said. "This is the top, and this is what happens here. But what I want is to look for solutions, why we were missing something in Las Palmas, in Dortmund. The demands at this club are day to day. People can be happy we won the Champions League. But if tomorrow we do not win again, I know what can happen. I must look for solutions, so that we improve. I know where I am."
Zidane said he was not overly concerned by the team having conceded twice in both their most recent games, saying that the most important was to take chances to finish the game when they were ahead.
"That is what we must improve," he said. "When you have the game controlled, and they equalise, we must change something. If we have chances, and we had many, we must put them in. That's all. But I am not concerned. These moments can happen, we must look forward."
Zidane will continue his rotation policy against Eibar with club captain Ramos and key midfielder Modric rested, meaning likely starts for fit again centre-back Pepe and playmaker Isco -- called up by Spain this week despite not having started for his club yet this term.
"Isco will play tomorrow [from the start]," Zidane said. "If Spain call him up, there is a reason. He has not played much, but I am the first who knows his quality. Now he is fit, training without any problems, and he is an important player for us."
Cristiano Ronaldo looks set to start a fourth game in 12th games, with Zidane saying he was not concerned about criticism of the Portuguese superstar's uncharacteristic slow start to the season -- just one goal in three La Liga appearances.
"I'm not worried about Cristiano, he's working well, not just in games, but at training too," he said. "We always ask more from him. If he does not score, he has not played well, that's always what people say. But I don't see it like that, he is better every day, he needs to play, like everyone. Bit by bit he is getting better."
Portugal captain Ronaldo is one of a likely 16 Madrid players heading off for international duty after Saturday's game, which Zidane said was something that as a top club manager he had to accept.
"To represent your country is the maximum for a player," he said. "But as a club coach, seeing 16 or 17 players go away, it annoys you. But that is normal, I cannot complain. It is the best for the player -- means he is doing well."