Solari gaining favour ahead of first major test in charge of Real Madrid

As well as Real Madrid, Solari played for Argentina, Inter Milan and River Plate. He played under Vicente del Bosque, Roberto Mancini, Ramon Diaz, and with, Zidane, Ronaldo and Luis Figo. He will have his own ideas about how the game should be played.

A successful fortnight would be a relief for Perez, whose alternatives look as few as when he sought Zidane’s successor in the summer.

By the end of the season, the landscape might have changed. Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho or Joachim Low could be more attainable. By then, Solari might trump the lot.

Barcelona landed the knock-out blow for Lopetegui, their 5-1 win at the Camp Nou extending an upward curve for Ernesto Valverde and his team.

The league leaders travel to struggling Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, looking for a fifth consecutive win.

Behind them in second sit Alaves, whose astonishing start to the season continues away to Eibar. Atletico Madrid face Leganes while on Sunday, Sevilla travel to Real Sociedad.

Saturday (GMT)

Leganes v Atletico Madrid (1200), Real Madrid v Real Valladolid (1515), Valencia v Girona (1730), Rayo Vallecano v Barcelona (1945)

Sunday

Eibar v Alaves (1100), Villarreal v Levante (1515), Real Sociedad v Sevilla (1730), Huesca v Getafe (1730), Real Betis v Celta Vigo (1945)

Monday

Espanyol v Athletic Bilbao (2000)