Chus Mateo: “It looks like the concepts have been absorbed quite well”
“The three new players slotted into the dynamic very well,” said the coach.

Chus Mateo analysed Real Madrid's opening win of the 2024/25 pre-season against Benfica. The coach had the following to say: “It's a pre-season game and the result wasn't very important, but I'm pleased because it helps us to maintain our rhythm in this first week of preparation. It looks like the concepts have been absorbed quite well. We played well and I was surprised by the level we played at after just one week of training.”
“We started strongly, which set the tempo of the game. We managed to play the game we wanted to play and the three new players slotted into the dynamic very well. We kept the team fresh and that's good for us.”
High standard of play
“We played with plenty of discipline, we found good shots and we rotated a lot. We're going to keep working hard, building things up and facing the upcoming competitions in the best possible way.”
New additions
“Ibaka, Feliz and Rathan contributed plenty today and I'm very pleased with their debuts with Real Madrid. They're going to contribute a lot to the team and they have fully understood what we want.”
Youth system
“Getting minutes and the possibility of playing in the first team for the young players means that the work of the youth academy is going very well. It also means that in the future we'll be able to call on quality players from Real Madrid's youth academy.”