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Real Madrid coach Lopetegui happy after Bernabeu Trophy win

Published : 12 Aug 2018, 20:59

  DF-Xinhua Report
Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui. File Photo Xinhua.

Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui saw his side defeat AC Milan 3-1 to claim the Santiago Bernabeu trophy late on Saturday night. The coach told the press in the early hours of Sunday morning that he was content with his players just a week ahead of the start of the new Spanish league season.

Goals from Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale, who have both had good pre-seasons since Cristiano Ronaldo's departure, and a late strike from Borja Mayoral secured the win for Madrid.

"It's always important to win your first home game, but we have to adjust things, be prepared and allow for new players to adjust to the side," said Lopetegui.

He said he would "not talk about previous seasons," when asked about Benzema and Bale, but said Bale was "happy and looking forward to a great season. He is varying his mobility and position, he is working well and we are very happy," commented the Madrid coach.

"He doesn't just score goals; he also does things apart from that. I am happy with his goal and with the help he gives the team," he commented when asked about Benzema.

Although Keylor Navas played in goal on Saturday, the Costa Rican will probably lose his place after Thibaut Courtois' arrival from Chelsea. Lopetegui, himself a goalkeeper in his playing days, insisted that "competition is good for the team" and that having the two keepers at the club "isn't a problem."