Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has called for calm after his side suffered a shock La Liga loss at home to Real Betis.

The Spanish champions have made a faltering start to the defence of their crown, winning just two of their first five games.

The defeat against Betis at the Bernabeu means Madrid are languishing in seventh spot, already seven points adrift of Barcelona, who have yet to drop a single point.

Real Madrid were on course to make it three straight draws as Betis held on manfully despite the return from suspension of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Antonio Sanabria grabbed a dramatic 94th-minute winner to leave the hosts stunned but, despite the setback, Zidane has appealed for calm at this early stage of the new season.

“I do not think the situation is delicate,” Zidane told reporters.

“We have lost points but there are also many matches left. All the work we have done is not going to be thrown in the trash because of three bad games at home.

“We have not been successful in the shots on goal. I am the coach of this team and what we need is calm, rest and to think about the next game.”

Real’s setback came just 24 hours after Barcelona had continued their perfect start to the La Liga season with a 6-1 mauling of Eibar at the Nou Camp, with Lionel Messi scoring four goals alongside strikes from Paulinho and Denis Suarez.

Real Madrid are 7.00 to win 3-0 in Saturday’s trip to Alaves.