Getafe boss Jose Bordalas has insisted that Real Madrid are still "a top side" despite losing Cristiano Ronaldo in this summer's transfer window.
Ronaldo departed Los Blancos for Juventus having scored 450 goals in 438 appearances since moving to the Bernabeu from Manchester United in the summer of 2009.
Madrid will open their 2018-19 La Liga season against Getafe on Sunday night, and Bordalas has played down suggestions that the European champions will be easier to face without Ronaldo.
"Real Madrid will always be the favourites in derbies like these, before and after Cristiano Ronaldo. He's a great player, but him leaving doesn't change the essence of their squad. We're not thinking about last season anymore," Bordalas told reporters.
"It's history and this one will be very demanding. We're starting against Real Madrid, a great team whose bad result on Wednesday in the Supercopa doesn't detract from their quality.
"Cristiano's a great player, but Real Madrid will always be favourites for everything. They're still a top side without him. They have great players, it'll be very difficult."
Getafe have not won at the Bernabeu in the league since February 2008.
Matt Law
