Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui has warned Lionel Messi not to underestimate his side in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure.
Messi yesterday claimed Los Blancos would be weaker without their talisman, who joined Juventus for £105million back in July.
He said: “Real Madrid are one of the best teams in the world with a great squad (but) it’s evident that the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo makes them less good and makes Juventus (one of the) clear favourites to win the Champions League.”
But Lopetegui said today: “I wouldn’t doubt these Real Madrid players for a second.”
Gareth Bale was wanted by Manchester United this summer.
But Marca say Real chose to make him their Ronaldo replacement for three reasons in a move that ended the Red Devils’ hopes of a transfer.
His quality made him the obvious choice.
And they also felt he had the potential to become even better with Ronaldo gone.
A third reason is his salary with Real feeling his £350,000 a week wages were enough to make him the face of the club – warding off United in the process.
Thibaut Courtois has aimed a dig at former club Chelsea by saying expectations at Real Madrid are higher.
“The Bernabeu is twice as big as Stamford Bridge, of course, it’s a very different feeling,’ he told Het Nieuwsblad.
“If you look forward, you only see a wall of people, while at Stamford Bridge you can still see the sky or the hotel behind the grandstand.’
“In training, you see that the level at Real Madrid is high.
“I am now experiencing on a daily basis that Ramos is the best centre-back in the world. The level at Real Madrid is higher than at Chelsea.”
Real boss Lopetegui has no regrets at taking the Bernabeu job, despite Spain axing him as a result of his decision just days before the World Cup.
Lopetegui said: “I simply took a decision and I would take the same one again.
“I did it in the most honest way possible and I don’t regret anything.
“I’m absolutely happy to coach Real Madrid, we have a special challenge and great objectives. What happened happened and it can’t be changed.”