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Julen Lopetegui happy with Real Madrid progress during pre-season

Julen Lopetegui happy with Madrid progress
© Reuters
Julen Lopetegui insists that Real Madrid are on track for the new season as they prepare for their second friendly of the summer.

New Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui has declared himself pleased with his side's progress heading into the 2018-19 La Liga campaign.

Los Blancos face Juventus in their second summer friendly on Saturday evening, a few days on from losing 2-1 against Manchester United.

Despite the disjointed nature of Madrid's pre-season programme, with only one other fixture pencilled in before facing Atletico Madrid in the European Super Cup, Lopetegui insists that his side are on track.

"It's been positive. We're working very hard as is normal at this time of year, with real intensity and the resulting fatigue," he told the club's official website. "We're hitting our goals both physically and tactically, assimilating new concepts and reinforcing elements of our collective game and tactical aspects which we are addressing every day.

"The main aim of pre-season is to get ready for the competitive games and go into those in the best possible fashion on group and individual levels. Players are coming back at different stages and we're trying to make sure they are all preparing in the same way.

"We were pleased the team showed good character [against Man United] despite the different preparation levels. They'd played five games and it was our first. Particularly in the second half, the team showed quality and real personality. We played a good match in general terms and attempted to translate all we've been working on to the pitch."

Lopetegui was appointed as Zinedine Zidane's successor at the Bernabeu in June, leading to his sacking as Spain boss.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
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2Barcelona35237572432976
3GironaGirona36236775453075
4Atletico MadridAtletico35224964392570
5Athletic Bilbao351711757352262
6Real BetisBetis35141384641555
7Real Sociedad351412948371154
8Villarreal36149136060051
9Valencia35139133739-248
10Getafe351013124148-743
11AlavesAlaves36119163445-1142
12Sevilla351011144749-241
13Osasuna36118174054-1441
14Las PalmasLas Palmas35107183044-1437
15Mallorca36715142941-1236
16Rayo Vallecano35714142743-1635
17Celta Vigo35810174053-1334
18CadizCadiz35514162449-2529
RGranada3549223668-3221
RAlmeria35211223570-3517


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