Rafael Benitez ‘thrilled’ with Real Madrid squad

“Real Madrid and Inter Milan have agreed the transfer of Mateo Kovacic, who will be tied to the club for the next six seasons”, Madrid said in a statement. While Ancelotti has always been more about fitting tactics around stars, Benitez will surely require his squad to occupy more defined roles. A poll done by the Madrid-affiliated Marca revealed a majority of fans want the Welsh forward Gareth Bale to be dropped from the starting XI for the trip to Sporting Gijon.

“It will be a tightly contested league, but we have to be optimistic”, said Luis Enrique.

It is a long season, and the resounding win envisioned for them this weekend will not vindicate president Florentino Perez for hiring Benitez, but it would be a start. His 17 goals and 12 assists in 48 games are not enough for a player of his caliber, especially when his debut season was far more impressive.

It is normal at Real Madrid.

Real had scores of chances at the Molinon against a team with a fraction of their resources but could not find a way past Gijon goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar, the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Jese all drawing a blank.

“In the second half we could have won the game”, he told reporters.

The Spaniard was quizzed on the make-up of his side on Saturday, telling reporters: “I think I have a great squad, I’m thrilled with what I have and my job is to improve what we have”.

One Spanish league title in seven years is a paltry showing for the richest sports club in the world, and Perez is again under pressure to turn his big payroll into an equally big payoff.

Rodriguez was subsequently sent on loan to Deportivo La Coruna last season before the attacking midfielder left Los Blancos this summer after signing a four-year deal with Turkish giants Galatasaray.

“Bale is a player who has speed, features that other players do not have”.

The match began with a one-minute silence to commemorate the loss of legendary Real Madrid players’ families. Loitering about eight yards from goal, the Welshman waited for the loose ball to drop in his direction before smashing a right-footed shot into the corner of the net.