Real Madrid defender Pepe backs under-fire coach Carlo Ancelotti

Real Madrid defender Pepe has rallied behind coach Carlo Ancelotti, defending the squad's work ethic and unity following a few below-par performances.

Doubts over Ancelotti's future at the club have arisen after Tuesday's 4-3 home defeat to Schalke in the Champions League.

Holders Real progressed to the quarter-final stages with a 5-4 aggregate win, but a poor spell in La Liga has seen them surrender top spot to rivals Barcelona after they lost 1-0 to Athletic Bilbao last weekend.

"There's no doubt that Ancelotti must continue," Pepe told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope.

"He is very good and in a short spell in charge he has given us a lot of joy."

The former AC Milan, Chelsea and Paris St Germain tactician led the Spanish giants to success in the Champions League and Copa del Rey in his debut season at the Bernabeu, after he replaced Jose Mourinho in charge.

Portugal defender Pepe has refuted claims the squad isn't working hard enough and insists the Italian is the right man for the job.

"I don't miss Mourinho," Pepe said. "I can assure you Ancelotti is not soft.

"He has an impressive CV and he demands a lot. We work with more intensity with Ancelotti than we did with Mourinho.

"Thanks to God that I've had a coach like Ancelotti. He has helped me a lot."

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Real had achieved a club record 22-match winning run earlier this season before losing 2-1 to Valencia in January. Ancelotti's side host Levante on Sunday live on Sky Sports as they look to halt a three-match winless run in all competitions.

Then Los Blancos take on Barcelona in El Clasico at Camp Nou on March 22, with the key encounter also live on Sky Sports.

Determined

Tuesday's defeat to Schalke prompted derision from the home fans at the final whistle but, while results have not gone their way recently, Pepe is confident his team will pull through.

"We are really determined to come out of this situation because we are the same team of two months ago that everyone thought was unbeatable," he added.

"It's painful to be booed at the Bernabeu stadium but our fans have every right to do so.

"We have to admit that we are not playing well and that against Schalke we lacked attitude. We run a lot but we are not playing like a team."

Looking ahead to the clash at Barcelona, Pepe does not rule out his team springing a surprise.

"Barca are favourites because they are playing at home and they are in better shape," he said. "But in El Clasico anything can happen.

"We are not at our best but we have quality and we have not forgotten how to play football."