Real Madrid defender Marcelo has insisted that under-fire head coach Julen Lopetegui "is trying everything possible" to help Los Blancos return to the top.
Madrid have only won one of their last six matches in all competitions and will enter Sunday's El Clasico down in seventh position in La Liga.
The European champions are only four points off first-placed Barcelona as things stand, however, and would be in a much stronger position if they were to triumph at Camp Nou.
Lopetegui's position as head coach is far from secure though, with former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte said to be waiting in the wings to replace the former Spain boss.
Marcelo, however, has insisted that Lopetegui is working to help Madrid reach the top once again.
"Lopetegui is trying everything possible to put Madrid at the top, where it should be," Marcelo told La Liga.
Lopetegui replaced Zinedine Zidane as head coach of Los Blancos ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.