Real Madrid are clutching at straws at the moment having exited the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League and falling 12 points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona — all within a few days. But one of their most famous faces of yesteryear, Luis Figo refuses to accept that the reigning Champions League holders have suddenly become a bunch of losers.

'Tough week'
"Real lost everything in one tough week, but let's not forget that this season didn't start well for them because they had to find a coach within a few days after Zinedine Zidane left. So, a change in coach and then it was a World Cup year and after a World Cup, players arrive at different times from their national teams and that's always tough for any club to deal with," Figo, 46, an ambassador for the UEFA Champions League, said during the trophy unveiling at the Mahalaxmi racecourse yesterday.