Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui praises team mentality after Girona win
Julen Lopetegui emphasised the strength of Real Madrid’s group rather than choosing to elevate individuals after his side rallied from a goal down to see off Girona 4-1.
Real came undone at the Montilivi last season, beaten 2-1 despite taking an early lead, but refused to allow a repeat in their second La Liga outing under the former Spain boss.
Borja Garcia’s fine finish hinted at history repeating itself but the visitors responded with four unanswered goals to take the points.
Two penalties either side of half-time – a nerveless ‘Panenka’ from Sergio Ramos and something more conventional from Karim Benzema – reversed the lead before Gareth Bale’s strike and a second of the game from the French forward.
But Lopetegui’s reaction suggested Real’s post-Cristiano Ronaldo years may focus more on the unit.
„The team is the one that works and when it works, the goals come in the form of Gareth, Karim or Sergio,“ he told Movistar.
„The important thing is that they arrive, not who gets them, the team has made collective sense. I emphasise the mentality of the team. The match was difficult. In a hard moment of the game we have shown we know how to play.“
Lopetegui once again left summer signing Thibaut Courtois out in favour of Keylor Navas, a situation that is unlikely to persist given the former Chelsea No 1’s status.
When, or if, the change will be made was unlikely to be revealed after a solid showing from the Costa Rican shot-stopper, though.
„We will see how the goalkeeper rotation evolves,“ said the coach. „I have three excellent goalkeepers and we see it as good solutions. Today Keylor has done very well and we will see what happens in the future. I have things in my head about goalkeepers but I’m going to say nothing.“
He was similarly vague about World Cup finalists Raphael Varane and Luka Modric, who have not started either league game since returning later than most from their exploits in Russia.
„Varane and Modric will be train little by little in the team. We have alternatives and competition and that’s good for the team,“ offered the manager.
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