Lopetegui Claps Back At Messi Over Ronaldo-less Real Madrid

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Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui has told Lionel Messi to underestimate Madrid at his peril after the Barca ace said that Madrid were weaker without Ronaldo

Ronaldo departed from Madrid after 9 trophy-laden season at the Bernabeu and went to Juventus in a shock move that rocked the football world.

While Juventus have won their 3 games so far, Ronaldo is yet to score a goal for his new club.

In the wake of this, Messi spoke of how he felt Madrid was weaker now; “it’s evident that the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo makes [Real Madrid] less good and makes Juventus [one of the] clear favourites to win the Champions League”.

But Madrid’s boss Lopetegui said to Onda Cero: “I would not doubt the players of Real Madrid.

READ: The Real Reason I Was Sacked By Bayern- Ancelotti Opens Up

“We have done okay but it is only the start and we have three weeks ahead with the Champions League.

“We have achieved the aim of nine points and now we need to reflect. The players need to come back fit and we will see what happens.

“Our target is everything this season. With the league you have to always be on form and it rewards consistency but we want to win everything.”

Lopetegui also said that he didn’t speak to Ronaldo; “I did not speak to him, it was a situation where he had already decided to leave and the club went along with this for a player who had been tremendous. They allowed this desire and restlessness that he had.

“I expressed from the start [the players I wanted]. I thought the squad was fantastic, the players are very good in all areas of the pitch and are capable to compete for titles.”

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