Julián López de Lerma: "We want to be the most complete team possible to compete across different scenarios.”
“It’s a group with historic teams and important reserve teams, but it’s good to compete in such demanding matches,” noted the Castilla coach.
Julián López de Lerma, coach of Real Madrid Castilla, spoke to Realmadrid TV less than a week before our reserve team begins the 2026-27 season. The coach discussed how the team is feeling ahead of their debut in the Primera Federación, which will be against Teruel (Monday, August 31; 9:15 pm CEST): “Good, very good, with a lot of enthusiasm and motivation. It has been seven weeks of preseason that have helped us distribute minutes, allow the players to feel good, and start to see synergies.”
“We are eager, especially for the ball to start rolling and for the results in the matches to have an impact. It's clear that what has happened in preseason prepares us for that first matchday, where, of course, we want to start with a win.”
What Castilla do you want to see this year?
“I want to see the team as complete as possible. We are Real Madrid, and we intend to be protagonists with the ball, to be a pressing team, and to try to create many chances. We understand the difficulty of the group and want to be prepared for moments where we will have to endure a bit more.”
“We want to see a team with an identity characteristic of Real Madrid Castilla, which is what we have seen throughout all these years. But we also want to be prepared for those difficult moments that the Primera Federación will demand of us, so we can be the most complete team possible and compete across different scenarios.”
What are you like as a coach?
“I am a demanding coach, close to the players. I have been working in youth development for many years, and I think that is important, especially when working with a reserve team like Real Madrid Castilla, where we understand that we must bring out all the potential the players have.”
Group 2 of Primera Federación
“It’s a group with historic teams, teams with great projects, big cities behind them, and also important reserve teams. It’s good for the players, for us, and for the team to compete in such demanding matches because that is what will make this club better.”
Teruel, the first challenge
“This is a club that always aims for the highest, and the first thing we need to do, the first goal, is to win the first matchday. The ambition and excitement are at their peak. Teruel has changed their coach this summer, and it’s clear that, playing at home, they will likely be strong. We know how difficult it is to play any match in this competition away from home, but we face it with a lot of enthusiasm, determination to win the game, and the ambition that characterizes this club.”
Returning to Di Stéfano
“It’s very important for us to play at the Di Stéfano. Our fans have to be decisive in a stadium where we believe our players can perform at their best, feel good, feel at home, and feel supported. Now we need to create, in these days and this preseason, that feeling of team unity, of being a group, and generate what it means to be part of Real Madrid Castilla.”
Preseason Review
“We are very happy with what we have, with the players, and especially with the ambition and the desire they have shown throughout this preseason and will undoubtedly continue to show for the rest of the season.”
Disclaimer: Translation generated by artificial intelligence. It may contain inaccuracies.